Salicylate intoxications in children were the most frequent, or belonged to the most frequent of all drug intoxications in the past. In the majority of cases they presented as therapeutic intoxications. That was the reason for a greater interest of clinicians in this pharmacological group. Besides, there was a relationship on the incidence of Reye’s syndrome and salicylate administration in paediatric practice. Immediately after discovery of this connection, the use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) preparations was limited and salicylate intoxications in children almost disappeared. The authors describe the incidence of severe salicylate intoxications in 16 patients, who were hospitalized at the Clinic of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine in Martin Faculty Hospital in 1967 - 1996. The children were infants or toddlers (17 days up to 7 years, mean age 17 months). Intoxication symptoms comprised in all patients the consciousness disorders (somnolence, spasms, coma), hyperpyrexia or fever, acidotic or Kussmaul breathing. 13 children were cured without any consequences, one child died, one child became paralyzed and in one child developed epilepsy. In all children the intoxication was therapeutic. Nowadays therapeutic ASA intoxications are very rare. Suicidal intoxication (often combined) in older children are usually therapeutically controlled without any consequences. The intoxication with repeated therapeutic doses of ASA, especially in younger children, is caused by its cumulation in the organism as well as by specific metabolic differences. The accumulation is the result of reduced renal excretion during dehydration (the children refuse to drink fluids) and acidosis. The salicylate intoxications are indirectly dependent on the drug dose. Reye’s syndrome is usually present independently on the dose of administered ASA.

        Key words: acetylsalicylic acid, intoxication in children, salicylates