title: Propylene glycol: the safe diluent that continues to cause harm.
abstract: Propylene glycol (PG) is present in many pharmaceutical products, lotions, ointments, and cosmetics. Although considered to be a relatively safe substance, overdoses have been associated with serious adverse effects. Propylene glycol intoxication occurred in a child and caused central nervous system depression and a severe metabolic acidosis. Initial assessment revealed an elevated serum anion gap, a slight increase in measured serum osmolality, and a normal osmolal gap. The child's acidosis was due to increased concentrations of lactate and pyruvate. The possibility of serious PG intoxication should be considered in any patient with an unexplained serious metabolic acidosis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Pharmacology and Critical Care, Rainbow Babies and Childrens Hospital, Cleveland, OH 44106-6010, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Glover
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Reed
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D062787:Drug Overdose / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000506:poisoning; D019946:Propylene Glycol; D011409:Propylene Glycols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000506:poisoning
chemical_list: D014677:Pharmaceutical Vehicles; D011409:Propylene Glycols; D019946:Propylene Glycol