Abstract
Background
Cannabinoid-containing substances are commonly abused worldwide. Significant toxicity
from these substances is uncommon in adults but can result in significant symptoms
in children; these symptoms are usually short-lived.
Objectives
To report a case of prolonged mental status alteration of more than 2 days in a child
who ingested hashish.
Case Report
A 14-month-old child presented comatose to a pediatric emergency department after
ingestion of hashish; she did not regain consciousness for more than 48 h. Quantitative testing of the child’s urine for a tetrahydrocannabinol metabolite
revealed a markedly elevated level, the decline of which coincided with the child’s
clinical improvement.
Conclusions
Significant ingestion of cannabinoid-containing substances is capable of causing prolonged
symptoms (including coma) in children.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 16, 2010
Accepted:
May 18,
2010
Received in revised form:
April 17,
2010
Received:
January 25,
2010
Footnotes
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
