Intentional poisoning of two siblings by prescription drugs. An unusual form of child abuse.

The two cases described in this report are examples of a bizarre form of a child abuse. Intentional poisoning with prescription drugs was used by the mother to simulate an underlying disease in her two children. Combined with misleading history and interference with laboratory procedures, she confounded physicians for years, and led to unnecessary hospitalizations, treatment and multiple laboratory procedures for these children. This report may alert physicians to earlier recognition of this form of child abuse.