Neuropediatrics 2006; 37 - TP70
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-945663

LAMOTRIGINE OVERDOSE IN A CHILD

I Berger 1, M Daana 1, A Tanenbaum 1, I Taustein 1, Y Nevo 1
  • 1Pediatric Neurology Unit, Hadassah- Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel

Objectives: To describe an unusual acute Lamotrigine (LTG) poisoning in a child with lower than previously reported overdose.

Methods: We describe a five year-old-girl who suffered LTG overdose during routine tapering up of the dose. The child presented with ataxia, drowsiness, acute confusion, followed by vomiting and seizure exacerbations after ingestion of 500mg LTG (25mg/kg).

Results: Treatment which included discontinuation of LTG, intravenous fluid administration and close observation resulted in complete recovery within 24 hours.

Conclusion: Lamotrigine (LTG) is indicated for the management of partial and secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in adults. In children, it is effective for the treatment of partial seizures, absence seizures and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. The drug usually considered to be well tolerated in children. There are only few articles available in the pediatric literature concerning the clinical and laboratory manifestations of pediatric LTG overdose. The minimal LTG overdose reported in the pediatric literature was of 800mg. We found that neurological manifestations predominate in a child suffered LTG poisoning even on lower doses.