[Home environment and acute propylene glycol intoxication in a two-year old. An unusual case report].
BACKGROUND
Acute propylene glycol intoxication in a two-year-old toddler underlines the potentially serious toxicity in children of this chemical agent present as a diluent in many drugs and environmental products such as cosmetics, diapers, cleansing towels, despite a common consideration of safety and lack of toxicity.


METHODS
A two-years-old boy previously healthy was found in the morning by his parents in his cradle, lethargic, responsive only to sharp pain. On admission, vital signs were: temperature 38.5 degrees C, lethargy, polypnea; propylene glycol intoxication through disposable cleansing towels chewing was ascertained by anamnesis and blood urine analyses which revealed metabolic acidosis and serum propylene glycol peak.


CONCLUSIONS
Environmental acute propylene glycol intoxication must be considered and searched for in front of a metabolic acidosis case of unknown origin in children.
Guillot
M
M
Service de pédiatrie, CHG Robert-Bisson, BP 97223, 14107 Lisieux, France. guillot.marcel@libertysurf.fr
Bocquet
G
G
Eckart
P
P
Amiour
M
M
el-Hachem
C
C
Garnier
R
R
Galliot-Guilley
M
M
Haguenoer
J M
JM
D000138:Acidosis / Q000209:etiology*; D004777:Environment; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006795:Household Products; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis; D019946:Propylene Glycol / Q000506:poisoning*; D012997:Solvents / Q000506:poisoning*
D012997:Solvents; D019946:Propylene Glycol