Methadone Toxicity in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report.

Palveen Lumba,Marsha Medows,Hitesh Lumba,Leonita Bray

doi:10.7759/cureus.14860

Abstract

Pediatric morbidity and mortality associated with methadone poisoning have been rising over the years. In this report, we discuss a case of a four-year-old boy who presented with respiratory distress and a depressed level of consciousness. A urine drug testing was performed given the miosis along with the depressed level of consciousness; the test was found to be positive for methadone, and no other cause of drowsiness was identified. This report highlights the importance of urine drug testing in pediatric patients presenting with a depressed level of consciousness.

Highlights

There are several reported cases in the literature that highlight the dangers of methadone poisoning in pediatric patients
This report highlights the importance of urine drug testing in pediatric patients presenting with a depressed level of consciousness
The methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program is a form of medication-assisted treatment that is being used to treat opioid use disorder under the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Summary

Introduction

There are several reported cases in the literature that highlight the dangers of methadone poisoning in pediatric patients. Methadone is a synthetic diphenyl propylamine that is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract It is effective in treating nociceptive and neuropathic pain and is widely used in the management of opioid dependence [1]. The methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program is a form of medication-assisted treatment that is being used to treat opioid use disorder under the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). As part of this program, carry-home dosages of methadone are dispensed to the patients in the form of oral tablets or oral solutions. Social work authorities were consulted regarding the disposition of the patient

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