Respiratory failure from corn starch aspiration: a hazard of diaper changing.
Corn starch powder is widely used for routine infant skin care as a substitute for talcum powder, as it is believed to have fewer respiratory hazards. We describe a one-month-old infant who presented to an emergency department with respiratory failure and a severe pneumonitis from aspiration of corn starch powder. The patient recovered after five days of mechanical ventilatory support. We conclude that careless use of corn starch for infant skin care can lead to accidental aspiration of this substance and severe respiratory disease.
Silver
P
P
Department of Pediatrics, Schneider Children's Hospital of the Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, New York 11042, USA.
Sagy
M
M
Rubin
L
L
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011208:Powders / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011859:Radiography; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D011208:Powders