Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2022 Oct 1;38(10):e1601-e1605.
doi: 10.1097/PEC.0000000000002641. Epub 2022 Feb 8.

Effectiveness of a Reliable Toxicological Analysis for a Correct Diagnosis of Acute Intoxication in Pediatrics: 2-Year Experience of an Analytical Toxicological Laboratory

Antonella Valli  1 , Virginia Valeria Ferretti  2 , Cathrine Klersy  2 , Davide Lonati  3 , Ilaria Giardini  1 , Pietro Papa  1
Affiliations

Effectiveness of a Reliable Toxicological Analysis for a Correct Diagnosis of Acute Intoxication in Pediatrics: 2-Year Experience of an Analytical Toxicological Laboratory

Antonella Valli et al. Pediatr Emerg Care. .

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the role of the laboratory of toxicology as a support for a correct diagnosis of intoxication through the application of a reliable analytical approach, critically designed to meet pediatric needs.

Methods: Data collected from 360 cases of suspected intoxications in pediatric patients (aged 1 day to 17 years) during the period 2018 to 2019 are presented. Toxicological analyses were performed through different techniques (immunoassay and chromatography) with parameters (limit of detection and cut-off) adjusted according to pediatric needs to produce reliable toxicological data for a wide number of prescription drugs, drugs of abuse, and poisons.

Results: We present results about (1) agents involved in suspected poisonings and the methods adopted for a definite analytical diagnosis, (2) the assessment of the concordance of results for analyses proceeded by different techniques, and (3) the percentage of agreement between analytical result and clinical suspicion.

Conclusions: An analytical approach critically designed to minimize misinterpretation of laboratory data and able to provide reliable results for a wide number of substances in a time compatible with the urgency represents a useful support for a correct diagnosis of intoxication in pediatrics.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

    1. Hines EQ, Fine JS. Pediatric principles. In: Nelson LS, Howland MA, Lewin NA, et al., eds. Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies . 11th ed. New York, NY: Mc Graw Hill Education; 2019:448–458.
    1. Ponticiello E; Società italiana di medicina d'urgenza e urgenza pediatrica. Intossicazioni acute in età pediatrica. Available at: https://www.simeup.it/?page_id=185 . Accessed January 21, 2022.
    1. Berta GN, Di Scipio F, et al. Childhood acute poisoning in the Italian North-West area: a six-year retrospective study. Ital J Pediatr . 2020;46:83. doi:10.1186/s13052-020-00845-0. - DOI
    1. Flanagan RJ, Watson ID. Laboratory. Support for the poisoned patient. CPD Clin Biochem . 2009;9:79–97.
    1. Hallbach J, Degel F, Desel H, et al. Analytical role in clinical toxicology: impact on the diagnosis and treatment of poisoned patients. J Lab Med . 2009;33:71–87. doi:10.1515/JLM.2009.021. - DOI