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October 1997, Vol 151, No. 10 >
Article | October 1997

Serotonin Syndrome After Sertraline Overdose in a 5-Year-Old Girl FREE

Maryland Pao, MD
Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 1997;151(10):1064-1067. doi:10.1001/archpedi.1997.02170470098028.
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Sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), is frequently prescribed for depression in adults and is becoming more popular for children and adolescents.1 While it has a relatively favorable safety and toleration profile in adults, its pharmacokinetic properties in children are not yet well established.2 A spectrum of symptoms has been described following sertraline ingestion. Commonly reported physical side effects include gastrointestinal tract symptoms, tachycardia, and somnolence. Behavioral symptoms consistent with hypomania have also been reported. This report summarizes physical and behavioral symptoms consistent with sertraline overdose and describes a probable case of serotonin

Table 1. Summary of Hospital Course Time From Ingestion, h Feature 8 48 72 216 Temperature, °C Blood pressure, mm Hg Pulse, beats/min Respiratory rate, beats/min Behavior Laboratory values Sertraline levels 39.1 138/107 172 33 Tremulous, agitated, alert White blood cell count: 8.8 ×109/L 38.6 170/83 177 24 Tremulous, agitated, alert 38.3 124/68 126

REFERENCES

1 +
DeVane CL, Sallee FR.  Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors in child and adolescent psychopharmacology: a review of published experience . J Clin Psychiatry . 1996;;57:57-66.
2 +
Leonard HL, March J, Rickler KC, Allen AJ.  Pharmacology of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in children and adolescents . J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry . 1997;;36:725-736.
3 +
Kaminski CA, Robbins MS, Weibley RE.  Sertraline intoxication in a child . Ann Emerg Med . 1994;;23:1371-1374.
4 +
Carlson NR. Physiology of Behavior . Boston, Mass: Allyn & Bacon Inc; 1994;:65.
5 +
Sternbach H.  The serotonin syndrome . Am J Psychiatry . 1991;;148:705-713.
6 +
DeVane CL.  Pharmacokinetics of the newer antidepressants: clinical relevance . Am J Med . 1994;;97( (suppl) ):13S-23S.
7 +
Zinner SH.  Panic attacks precipitated by sertraline . Am J Psychiatry . 1994;; 151:147.
8 +
Tierney E, Joshi PT, Llinas JF, Rosenberg LA, Riddle MA.  Sertraline for major depression in children and adolescents: preliminary clinical experience . J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol . 1995;;5:13-27.
9 +
Ghaziuddin M.  Mania induced by sertraline in a prepubertal child . Am J Psychiatry . 1994;;151:994.

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Country-Specific Mortality and Growth Failure in Infancy and Yound Children and Association With Material Stature

Use interactive graphics and maps to view and sort country-specific infant and early dhildhood mortality and growth failure data and their association with maternal

References

1 +
DeVane CL, Sallee FR.  Serotonin selective reuptake inhibitors in child and adolescent psychopharmacology: a review of published experience . J Clin Psychiatry . 1996;;57:57-66.
2 +
Leonard HL, March J, Rickler KC, Allen AJ.  Pharmacology of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors in children and adolescents . J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry . 1997;;36:725-736.
3 +
Kaminski CA, Robbins MS, Weibley RE.  Sertraline intoxication in a child . Ann Emerg Med . 1994;;23:1371-1374.
4 +
Carlson NR. Physiology of Behavior . Boston, Mass: Allyn & Bacon Inc; 1994;:65.
5 +
Sternbach H.  The serotonin syndrome . Am J Psychiatry . 1991;;148:705-713.
6 +
DeVane CL.  Pharmacokinetics of the newer antidepressants: clinical relevance . Am J Med . 1994;;97( (suppl) ):13S-23S.
7 +
Zinner SH.  Panic attacks precipitated by sertraline . Am J Psychiatry . 1994;; 151:147.
8 +
Tierney E, Joshi PT, Llinas JF, Rosenberg LA, Riddle MA.  Sertraline for major depression in children and adolescents: preliminary clinical experience . J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol . 1995;;5:13-27.
9 +
Ghaziuddin M.  Mania induced by sertraline in a prepubertal child . Am J Psychiatry . 1994;;151:994.

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