Outcome of acetaminophen overdose in pediatric patients and factors contributing to hepatotoxicity

Abstract

Seventy-three medical records of pediatric patients admitted for acetaminophen overdose were reviewed. Twenty-eight patients (39%) had severe liver toxic effects, and six of them underwent liver transplantation. Multiple miscalculated overdoses given by parents, with delay in therapy, are risk factors and the major cause of overdose in children 10 years of age or younger. (J Pediatr 1997;130:300-4)