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Severe Ecstasy poisoning in an 8-month-old infant.

Frank Eifinger, Bernhard Roth, Lars Kröner, Markus A Rothschild

European Journal of Pediatrics September 2008 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-007-0609-6 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Case study Case report Peer reviewed
Sample size 1
Population 8-month-old male infant with accidental MDMA ingestion
Interventions Benzodiazepine body cooling rehydration therapy
Duration 9 hours after ingestion (serum level measured); 6 hours after admission (vital signs normalized)
Topics MDMA
Key findings An 8-month-old infant who ingested an Ecstasy tablet had a serum MDMA level of 785 ng/mL two hours after ingestion, above the 500 ng/mL level considered lethal for adults, and developed tachycardia, hyperthermia, seizures, and hypertension. With supportive treatment (benzodiazepine, cooling, rehydration), vital signs normalized within 6 hours and the infant recovered fully. The authors argue that accidental Ecstasy ingestion should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a child with convulsions and fever.

Abstract

We report on an 8-month-old male infant who accidentally ingested an Ecstasy tablet (3,4-methylenedioxymetamphetamine, MDMA). Here we discuss, according to the available literature, the treatment, complications, and pharmacokinetics of MDMA intoxication in a young infant. Serum MDMA level 2 hours after ingestion was with 785 ng x mL(-1) above the dose considered lethal for adults (>500 ng x mL(-1)). After ingestion the patient showed life-threatening tachycardia of 210 beats min(-1), hyperthermia of 38.9 degrees C, seizures, and hypertension of 125/70 mmHg. Under supportive treatment (benzodiazepine, body cooling, rehydration therapy), 6 hours after admission, body temperature as well as the elevated blood pressure and heart beat had returned to normal values. Nine hours after ingestion the serum MDMA level was still 274 ng x mL(-1). The patient made a full clinical recovery and afterwards appeared to be a healthy boy. This case illustrates the need to consider the possibility of accidental Ecstasy ingestion in the differential diagnosis of a child suffering from convulsions with fever.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on MDMA, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
'Eve' and 'Ecstasy'. A report of five deaths associated with the use of MDEA and MDMA Individuals whose deaths were associated with MDMA or MDEA use 1987 Case series n = 5
Pathology of deaths associated with "ecstasy" and "eve" misuse. Young white men aged 20 to 25 who died after using ring-substituted amphetamines (MDMA... 1996 Case series n = 7
'Eve' and 'Ecstasy' Individuals who died after using MDMA or MDEA 1987 Case series n = 5
A Method of Conducting Therapeutic Sessions with MDMA Clients with clear therapeutic purpose, excluding those with serious functional... 1998 Case study n = 2
Diversity of Psychopathology Associated with use of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (‘Ecstasy’) Psychiatric patients presenting between 1990 and 1992 whose symptoms developed in the... 1994 Case series n = 13

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