Transient major hypothermia associated with acetaminophen: A pediatric case report and literature review

Arch Pediatr. 2019 Sep;26(6):358-360. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2019.06.005. Epub 2019 Jul 19.

Abstract

We report the case of a 4-month-old baby boy who presented hypothermia (rectal temperature 36°C) after acetaminophen intake for post-vaccination fever. A recurrence of the hypothermia was observed after acetaminophen rechallenge for fever. We reviewed 14 other pediatric cases of hypothermia secondary to therapeutic doses of acetaminophen. Hypothermia after a therapeutic dose is a very rare side effect of acetaminophen. Several hypotheses have been made but the exact mechanism remains unknown.

Keywords: Acetaminophen; Hypothermia; Pediatrics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / adverse effects*
  • Antipyretics / adverse effects*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / chemically induced*
  • Hypothermia / diagnosis
  • Infant
  • Male

Substances

  • Antipyretics
  • Acetaminophen