Electrocardiographic Changes in Children With Acute Opioid Poisoning A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives Opioid poisoning in children is a common pediatric emergency in Iran. The emergence and spread of new synthetic opioids have come up with new consequences in case of toxicity. In this study, we aimed to evaluate electrocardiographic changes in children with acute opiate poisoning. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on all children with opioid poisoning admitted to the emergency ward of Vali-e-Asr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, from December 2015 to February 2017. Data (demographics, manifestations, clinical course, and outcome) were collected using a predesigned checklist. An electrocardiogram (ECG) was obtained and evaluated for arrhythmias, corrected QT interval (QTc), and other ECG indices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. A value of P less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 85 children were enrolled in this study. Most of them were male (51.8%). The mean age of the patients was 3.46 +/- 3.36 years. Among these children, 38.8% were poisoned with synthetic opioids (methadone). Mean QTc length was 399 +/- 24 milliseconds in nonsynthetic opioid poisoning and 407 +/- 66 milliseconds in methadone poisoning, and it was prolonged (>450 milliseconds) in 3.5% of cases. Other ECG changes were limited to 1 U wave formation (1.2%) that was detected in a patient with methadone poisoning. Conclusions Electrocardiogram changes due to acute opioid toxicity in children are not common, although in the case of methadone poisoning, long QT interval and associated arrhythmias should be anticipated. Moreover, because of life-threatening effects of opioids such as respiratory insufficiency and decreased consciousness, it is necessary to be prepared for these conditions.

Automated summary

This study investigated acute opioid poisoning in children in Iran, finding that electrocardiogram changes are not common, although extended QT intervals and arrhythmias should be expected in cases of methadone poisoning. Preparing for these conditions is necessary due to the life-threatening effects of opioids such as respiratory insufficiency and decreased consciousness.