An Online Trend Is Killing Children. What Telltale Signs Should You Be Vigilant for?

A 13-year-old boy is the latest American child to lose his life after attempting a social media challenge. Per a report from WSYX in Columbus, OH, friends looked on and at least one recorded video as the boy set out to take upwards of a dozen diphenhydramine pills in the belief that he would start hallucinating—a trend known on Tik Tok as the “Benadryl challenge.” Instead, he experienced seizures and wound up in the hospital on a ventilator for 6 days, after which he passed away. The Food and Drug Administration first warned the public about the trend in 2020, when reports of overdoses and deaths started occurring. As it’s unlikely such patients will be forthcoming concerning what preceded symptoms suspicious for diphenhydramine toxicity, especially if they’re with a parent or caregiver, increased vigilance on the part of the provider may be advisable. According to a post on Mount Sinai’s website, , common symptoms of overdose include unexplained agitation, confusion, seizures, delirium, depression, drowsiness, hallucinations, or increased sleepiness.