Ethyl alcohol (ethanol)-containing cologne, perfume, and after-shave ingestions in children.
Colognes, perfumes, and after-shaves containing ethyl alcohol (ethanol) are frequently ingested by children. These products may contain from 50% to 99% ethanol. To determine if ingestion of colognes, perfumes, or after-shaves by children results in serious ethanol toxic reactions, this retrospective study was performed. One hundred twenty-three cases of children younger than 6 years old who ingested these products were reviewed. The cases were arbitrarily divided into three groups based on the amount ingested by history. Group 1 included children in whom less than 30 mL was ingested; group 2, 30 to 60 mL was ingested; and group 3, more than 60 to 105 mL was ingested. Of the 102 patients in group 1, no children experienced symptoms or signs. One of 17 children in group 2 was described by parents as sleepy but was asymptomatic one hour later. Two of four children in group 3 behaved as if intoxicated, yet blood ethanol levels were undetectable within 2 1/2 hours after ingestion. Based on our study, asymptomatic children who ingested by history less than 105 mL of a cologne, perfume, or after-shave and remain asymptomatic can be safely watched at home. All children with symptoms of intoxication need health care facility referral.
Scherger
D L
DL
Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver.
Wruk
K M
KM
Kulig
K W
KW
Rumack
B H
BH
D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000431:Ethanol / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D010476:Perfume / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D010476:Perfume; D000431:Ethanol