The Annals of pharmacotherapy
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To identify and summarize published cases in which intravenous lipid emulsion was used to treat pediatric patients with acute drug toxicities. ⋯ There is an increasing interest in use of intravenous lipid emulsions to treat life-threatening toxicity from several lipophilic drugs in adults and children. Although most of the literature describes adult cases, intravenous lipid emulsion has been used in neonates and adolescents, with generally positive outcomes. Given the life-threatening, sometimes near-death situations in which an intravenous lipid emulsion is typically used after conventional resuscitation is unsuccessful and the dramatic positive response to this therapy in most published cases, its use likely will continue. Continued reporting of pediatric cases will guide the optimal use and safety profile of intravenous lipid emulsion for the emergent reversal of drug toxicity.
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To review the current literature on the efficacy and safety of low- versus high-dose adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) regimens, low-dose ACTH regimens, and comparison of ACTH with oral corticosteroids or vigabatrin for the treatment of West syndrome. ⋯ The current literature suggests that short-term, low-dose ACTH should be considered first-line treatment of infantile spasms.