Case Report

Respiratory Depression in a Child Unintentionally Exposed to Transdermal Fentanyl Patch

Authors: WILLIAM E. HARDWICK JR. MD, WILLIAM D. KING RPh, MPH, DrPH, PAUL A. PALMISANO MD, MPH

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A 2-year-old boy was found unresponsive after sleeping in bed with his grandmother. After the patient was intubated and ventilated, paramedics discovered a transdermal fentanyl patch on the victim's back. Removal of the patch and treatment with naloxone resolved symptoms. This is the first reported case of secondary exposure to a fentanyl patch causing clinically significant respiratory depression in the pediatric population, and it emphasizes a new hazard of such drug use.

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