An 8-year-old child with familial Mediterranean fever exhibited signs of colchicine intoxication while receiving prophylactic
doses of the drug. She developed gastro-intestinal, central nervous system, cardiovascular and haematological disturbances.
Over 2 months she had been drinking high doses of natural grapefruit juice which, combined with long-term colchicine therapy
and a viral upper respiratory tract infection, increased her susceptibility to the drug.
Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time colchicine intoxication in this age group has been described in the
English literature.
Key words Colchicine intoxication - Familial Mediterranean fever - Grapefruit juice
AbbreviationFMF familial Mediterranean fever
Received: 24 January 2000 / Accepted: 15 May 2000