Abstract
A seven week old previously healthy infant presented with tonic posturing and central nervous system irritability after concentrated tea ingestion. Using a gas chromatographic analysis technique, a sample of similarly prepared tea was examined for levels of caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. Caffeine was the only xanthine found in the tea. A simulation of caffeine absorption and elimination was performed on a computer utilizing Euler's method on a three compartment model consisting of caffeine in the gut, in the body water, and caffeine excreted. Convulsions after caffeine administration have been reported at doses of 7 mg/kg. In our patient, the total estimated ingested dose of caffeine was 75 mg or 14.7 mg/kg with a maximum predicted blood level at 3 2/3 hours. A xanthine blood level from the infant at 5 hours was 1.1 mg/100 ml compared to a computer predicted value of 1.3 mg/100 ml. Computer simulation may be utilized to predict the pharmacologic course and distribution of ingested agents.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brem, A., Martin, H. & Stern, L. TOXICITY FROM TEA INGESTION IN AN INFANT: A COMPUTER SIMULATION ANALYSIS. Pediatr Res 11, 414 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00271
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197704000-00271
