Citation

Forrester MB. Pediatr. Emerg. Care 2010; 26(1): 15-18.

Affiliation

From the Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/PEC.0b013e3181c330dc

PMID

20042913

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:: The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of metaxalone (a muscle relaxant) ingestions by young children reported to poison control centers. METHODS:: Cases were all metaxalone ingestions by patients aged 0 to 5 years reported to Texas poison control centers during 2000 to 2007. Cases with multiple substance ingestions and lack of follow-up were excluded. Cases were analyzed for selected demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS:: Of 148 total cases, 56.8% were boys. The distributions by management site were 56.1% on-site, 22.3% already at/en route to a health care facility, and 21.6% referred to a health care facility. Final medical outcomes were no effect for 90.5% cases, minor effect for 8.1%, moderate effect for 0.7%, and major effect for 0.7%. Specific clinical effects reported were drowsiness (11), vomiting (3), agitation (2), rash (1%), tachycardia (1), and ataxia (1). CONCLUSIONS:: Pediatric metaxalone ingestions reported to Texas poison control centers usually resulted in minor or no effect. Most ingestions did not require hospitalization.

Language: en