PCP Intoxication in Young Children and Infants

Abstract

Six cases of PCP intoxication in young children age 5 years and younger seen at UCLA Medical Center recently and 10 other cases from the literature are described and their clinical findings summarized. PCP intoxication should be suspected in young children and infants presenting with rapid onset of lethargy or coma, strange behavior, staring spells, ataxia, and nystagmus. Other findings less frequent but still suspect are opisthotonos, hypertension, tachypnea or hyperpnea, miosis, hyperreflexia, hypertonia, and rigidity. Once suspected, the diagnosis is most easily made by finding PCP in the urine. Proper diagnosis of PCP intoxication is important to ensure that rapid, appropriate treatment is given, costly diagnostic workups are avoided, and family evalua tions are instituted. One case strongly suggests that intoxication in infants may result from accidental inhalation when near individuals who are smoking PCP.