ANTICHOLINERGIC POISONING IN COLICKY INFANTS TREATED WITH HYOSCYAMINESULFATE

Hyoscyamine, one of the principal alkaloid components of belladonna, i s a potent anticholinergic agent. Because of its anticholinergic prope rties, hyoscyamine sulfate drops are often prescribed for the treatmen t of colic in infants, Anticholinergic poisoning in infants is rare, H owever, five cases are reported of infants with anticholinergic toxici ty following the administration of hyoscyamine drops for the treatment of colic, Common presenting symptoms included irritability, tachycard ia, and erythematous flushed skin, These cases emphasize the need for a heightened awareness by emergency physicians and pediatricians of po ssible anticholinergic toxicity caused by the use of hyoscyamine for i nfant colic. (Am J Emerg Med 1997;15:532-535. Copyright (C) 1997 by W. B. Saunders Company).