Treatment of imipramine overdose in children

A Literature Review of the Use of Sodium Bicarbonate for the Treatment of QRS Widening

Sodium bicarbonate is a well-known antidote for tricyclic antidepressant (TCA) poisoning. It has been used for over half a century to treat toxin-induced sodium channel blockade as evidenced by QRS widening on the electrocardiogram (ECG). The purpose of this review is to describe the literature regarding electrophysiological mechanisms and clinical use of this antidote after poisoning by tricyclic antidepressants and other agents. This article will also address the literature supporting an increased serum sodium concentration, alkalemia, or the combination of both as the responsible mechanism(s) for sodium bicarbonate's antidotal properties. While sodium bicarbonate has been used as a treatment for cardiac sodium channel blockade for multiple other agents including citalopram, cocaine, flecainide, diphenhydramine, propoxyphene, and lamotrigine, it has uncertain efficacy with bupropion, propranolol, and taxine-containing plants.

Are one or two dangerous? Tricyclic antidepressant exposure in toddlers

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA), increasingly prescribed for multiple indications in children and adults, are responsible for many pediatric poisonings. Though the majority of TCA exposures in this age group remain asymptomatic, several reports in the English language literature reveal significant morbidity as well as fatalities in toddlers, primarily from imipramine and desipramine. These few cases indicate that doses of 10-20 mg/kg (one to two pills) have the potential for toxicity and fatalities. More recent studies have focused on the relative safety of small exposures suggesting that with doses less than 5 mg/kg the patient may be safely observed at home. Though further studies are necessary to determine the exact dosing that places the child at risk, the authors recommend a 6-h Emergency Department observation period for children who ingest more than 5 mg/kg of most TCAs, as clinical toxicity becomes evident within this time frame.

Enuresis

The authors do not have all of the data about enuresis, and many children are subject to relapses or failure of treatment. There is no cause for despondency, however. Enuresis is no longer a mystery. Good data exist about the natural history, epidemiology, and etiology of enuresis. In addition, multiple treatment modalities are available to practitioners. This article has sought to review the scientific literature and to relate the authors' experience with enuresis. The authors recommend a treatment program for children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis that includes removal of caffeine from the diet. Enuretic children do not consume enough fluid, and the authors recommend that the daily fluid requirement be divided during the day: 40% in the morning, 40% in the afternoon, and 20% in the evening, with no restriction of fluid. Normalization of small functional bladder capacities may help to cure enuresis and has an effect on the efficacy of other therapies. Treatment of enuretics with antibiotics is effective in children with UTI, bacteriuria, or cystitis cystica. DDAVP has been shown to be effective in the treatment of enuresis, especially in children who have achieved a normal functional bladder capacity. Bladder alarm systems also offer a potential cure of enuresis, are inexpensive, and show a low relapse rate.