A new emerging problem in pediatric emergency units: Synthetic cannabinoids.
Nükhet Aladağ-Çiftdemir, İlay Yücel, Rıdvan Duran, Ülfet Vatansever-Özbek, B. Acunaş
Turkish Journal of Pediatrics 2016 DOI: 10.24953/turkjped.2016.05.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Pediatric patients admitted to a pediatric emergency department after using "Bonzai" |
| Key findings | Among pediatric emergency admissions following "Bonzai" use, the most common complaint was faintness and drowsiness, and the most common clinical findings were changes in consciousness, tachycardia, and hypertension; smoking was the most common method of use. The authors contend that adolescent "Bonzai" use is increasing and that emergency physicians should be educated about these presentations. |
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids or synthetic marijuana derivatives known as "Bonzai" in Turkey are addictive substances that affect the brain and have serious side effects. In recent years, the use of these substances has also been increasing in our country as well as all over the world. These substances present with various names and brands, the most common names in Turkey are "Bonzai" and "Jamaika". In this study, we aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical findings of these patients. We retrospectively evaluated patients admitted to our pediatric emergency department between March 2013 and March 2015 due to the complaints developing after the use of "Bonzai" in terms of age, gender, admission date, complaint, clinical findings, laboratory findings, consuming method of the substance, additional substance use, observation durations, hospitalization status and mortality rates. The most common complaint was faintness and drowsiness. Changes in the state of consciousness, tachycardia, hypertension were the most common clinical findings. Most common consuming method of the drug was in the form of smoking. The rate of "Bonzai" use among adolescents is increasing every day. Physicians in emergency departments should be educated on this issue and it must be kept in mind that most of the patients admitted are with complaints related to changes in the cognitive state (of consciousness) but they can also apply with complaints about all other systems.