title: Ethanol ingestion in two infants under 2 months old: a previously unreported cause of ALTE.
abstract: The differential diagnosis for the infant presenting with an apparent life-threatening event (ALTE) is broad. Toxic ingestions are a relatively uncommon cause of an ALTE, although several over-the-counter, prescription, and illicit drugs have been implicated. We present 2 cases of ethanol intoxication in infants as a previously unreported cause of an ALTE. Additionally, serial ethanol levels for these patients offer novel insight into the pharmacokinetics of ethanol metabolism in infants. Ethanol ingestion may be an underrecognized cause of an ALTE and should be considered if the history or physical examination is suggestive.
authors: LAC+USC Department of Emergency Medicine, 1200 N State St, Ste 1011, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA. taylormccormick@gmail.com
authors: Taylor
authors: T
authors: McCormick
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Levine
authors: Oma
authors: O
authors: Knox
authors: Ilene
authors: I
authors: Claudius
mesh_terms: D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D057768:Brief, Resolved, Unexplained Event / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D000431:Ethanol / Q000097:blood; D005183:Failure to Thrive / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005581:Foster Home Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate / Q000502:physiology; D009270:Naloxone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009292:Narcotic Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D015813:Substance Abuse Detection
chemical_list: D009292:Narcotic Antagonists; D009270:Naloxone; D000431:Ethanol