{
  "abstract": "Objective Colchicine, derived from autumn crocus ( Colchicum autumnale), has been used for centuries to treat arthritis. Currently, colchicine is licensed in the UK for the treatment of gout and familial Mediterranean fever. Off-label uses include pericarditis and potentially acute coronary syndrome and coronary artery disease. This study was performed to characterise colchicine poisoning in children in the UK.Design A retrospective analysis of telephone enquiries regarding colchicine to the National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) recorded in the UK Poisons Information Database (UKPID).Setting All UKPID data on colchicine poisoning between 2011 and 2021.Patients All patients less than 18 years old with colchicine exposure where telephone advice was sought from NPIS.Main outcome measures The contemporaneous demographics, epidemiology, morbidity, mortality and dose ingested (if available).Results Over the decade, 57 cases (median age 7 years, range 0–17 years) were reported to NPIS, yielding a minimum incidence of 0.41 cases/million children/year. Outcome data were available in 13/57 (23%) cases. Around half, 30 (52%) were symptomatic at presentation, with gastrointestinal disturbance being the most common symptom in 22 cases (39%). 12 patients (21.1%) progressed to systemic toxicity, with 7 (12%) suffering multiple organ failure and there were 4 deaths (7%). Estimated ingested doses ranged from 0.01 mg/kg to 1.45 mg/kg. Fatalities occurred at doses of between 0.21 to 1.45 mg/kg; all were mixed overdoses.Conclusions Colchicine overdose in children is infrequent but can be fatal. Colchicine poisoning in children can present asymptomatically and progress to systemic toxicity. Paediatricians should be aware of the potential severity of toxicity from colchicine overdose.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Frimley, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Bismah Kazi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University Hospital Llandough, Llandough, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Laurence Gray"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Poisons Information Service, Newcastle, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Harry Krishna Ruben Thanacoody"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "National Poisons Information Service, Birmingham, England, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Mark Pucci"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Paediatrics, Children’s hospital for Wales, Cardiff, Cardiff, UK"
      ],
      "name": "David Tuthill"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Paediatric colchicine poisoning in the UK: a 10-year retrospective case series from the National Poisons Information Service",
  "uid": "3ddd00bd-0fa7-56b8-a5ac-764d215a5017"
}