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Klin Padiatr 2014; 226(05): 292-294
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1372622
Case Report
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Fatal Non-accidental Alpha-lipoic Acid Intoxication in an Adolescent Girl

Tödliche, nicht-akzidentelle Alphaliponsäurevergiftung bei einer Jugendlichen
B. Hadzik
1   Department of General Paediatrics, University Childrens’ Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
,
H. Grass
2   Institute for Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
,
E. Mayatepek
3   General Pediatrics, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
,
T. Daldrup
2   Institute for Forensic Medicine, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
,
T. Hoehn
3   General Pediatrics, University Hospital Duesseldorf, Duesseldorf, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
08 May 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The aim of our report is to increase awareness that the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid, which is marketed primarily as weight loss and energy supplement, has potentially lethal effects. A 14-year-old girl ingested in suicidal intention a large amount of alpha-lipoic acid, which led to multiorgan failure and subsequent death within 24 h. Multiorgan failure consisted of decreased myocardial contractility, seizures, anuria, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy. Therapy consisted of ventilation, anticonvulsive treatment and circulatory support with high-dose catecholamines.

Conclusion:

According to alpha-lipoic acid serum levels following ingestion the girl must have ingested a minimum of 10 alpha-lipoic acid tablets of 600 mg each. This is the first report on a fatal case of alpha-lipoic acid ingestion, which is intended to inform physicians, pharmacists and patients about critical side effects of this allegedly innocuous drug.

Zusammenfassung

Ziel dieses Fallberichts ist es, das Bewusstsein über die potentiell tödlichen Effekte der antioxidativen Substanz Alphaliponsäure, einer Substanz, die primär im Bereich Abmagerungs- und Nahrungsergänzungsmittel vermarktet wird, zu stärken. Ein 14-Jähriges Mädchen hatte in suizidaler Absicht eine große Menge Alphaliponsäure ingestiert, was zu Multiorganversagen und Tod innerhalb von 24 Stunden führte. Das Multiorganversagen bestand aus einer herabgesetzten myokardialen Kontraktilität, Krampfanfällen, Anurie, Thrombozytopenie und Koagulopathie. Therapeutisch erfolgten Beatmung, antikonvulsive Therapie und Kreislaufunterstützung mit hochdosierten Katecholaminen.

Schlussfolgerung:

Entsprechend den gemessenen Alphaliponsäure Serumspiegeln nach Ingestion muss das Mädchen mindestens 10 Tabletten Alphaliponsäure à 600 mg zu sich genommen haben. Dies ist der erste Bericht eines pädiatrischen Todesfalls nach Ingestion von Alphaliponsäure und soll Ärzte, Apotheker und Patienten über kritische Nebenwirkungen dieser vermeintlich harmlosen Substanz zu informieren.

Key words

alpha-lipoic acid - ingestion - multiorgan failure - suicide

Schlüsselwörter

Alphaliponsäure - Ingestion - Multiorganversagen - Selbstmord
 

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