A case of accidental neonatal paracetamol overdose with prolonged half-life and measured metabolites

Abstract

Introduction: Limited data exist regarding paracetamol metabolism after overdose in the neonate. We report a case of repeated supratherapeutic overdose in a neonate with paracetamol metabolite concentrations. Case report: A 10-day-old male neonate presented to hospital after repeated supratherapeutic dosing of paracetamol. Paracetamol concentration 19.5 h post-last dose was 381 μmol/L and 236 μmol/L, 9 h later. Initial alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was normal (18 IU/L) and total bilirubin was 262 μmol/L (N < 300). Acetylcysteine infusion was commenced and ceased 27 h later, when serum paracetamol was undetectable and alanine aminotransferase remained normal. Initial paracetamol elimination ..