Serious respiratory consequences of detergent ingestions in children.
After ingesting or inhaling laundry detergent powder, eight children required hospital admission. The predominant symptoms were stridor, drooling, and respiratory distress. All but one patient underwent endoscopy of the airways and the esophagus, five children were admitted to the intensive care unit, and four children required endotracheal intubation. Laundry detergent ingestions are generally considered to have minor consequences, and there exists a paucity of literature on the subject. Evidence of significant morbidity incurred because of ingestion or inhalation of sodium carbonate-containing laundry detergent powder is presented, together with a review of the existing literature.
Einhorn
A
A
Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Dept of Emergency Medicine, Washington, DC 20010.
Horton
L
L
Altieri
M
M
Ochsenschlager
D
D
Klein
B
B
D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology; D002254:Carbonates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003902:Detergents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007846:Laundering; D008297:Male; D011208:Powders; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014839:Vomiting / Q000139:chemically induced
D002254:Carbonates; D003902:Detergents; D011208:Powders; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C005686:sodium carbonate