Levothyroxine poisoning in children – should we really be afraid?

Authors : Betül ÖZTÜRK, İlknur BODUR, Aysun TEKELİ, Ali GÜNGÖR, Raziye Merve YARADILMIŞ, Muhammed Mustafa GÜNEYLİOĞLU, Aytaç GÖKTUĞ, Nilden TUYGUN, Can Demir KARACAN

Pages : 247-251

Doi:10.21673/anadoluklin.1240784

View : 57 | Download : 38

Publication Date : 2023-09-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: L-thyroxine intoxication is rarely seen in children; however, it can be worrying for clinicians and parents. This study aimed to present the clinical and laboratory findings of children admitted to the pediatric emergency department with l-thyroxine intoxication. Methods: Patients admitted to the pediatric emergency department with l-thyroxine intake between January 2015 and June 2022 were included in this retrospective study. The patient’s clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, treatment, and hospital costs were recorded and analyzed. Results: This study included 33 pediatric patients with thyroxine intoxication. The median age was 35 months insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(The interquartile range insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IQR); 25-47.5); and 19 of them were girls insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(57,5%);. No patient had a clinical symptom at the admittance. One patient had massive l-thyroxine intake and two patients had tachycardia. Gastric lavage and activated charcoal were used in 18 patients. Four patients were followed in the pediatric intensive care unit and one of them was treated with propranolol. The median time of hospital stay was 24 hours insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IQR 13,5-84);. The median cost of the treatment was $73 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IQR56.2-116.75);. Conclusion: L-thyroxine intoxication usually occurs with low drug doses in children and has a benign prognosis. Routine hospitalization of these patients, particularly with low drug dose intake, should be questioned considering the treatment cost.
Keywords : Çocukluk, intoksikasyon, l tiroksin, toksisite, zehirlenme