Diethylene glycol poisoning in Nigerian children

Between June and September 1990, 47 children died at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from ingestion of paracetamol syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol. Most of the children presented with anuria, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and convulsions. Signs on admission were tachycardia, acidotic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Annals of tropical paediatrics Vol. 12; no. 3; p. 235
Main Authors:	Okuonghae, H O, Ighogboja, I S, Lawson, J O, Nwana, E J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England 1992
Subjects:	Acetaminophen Acute Kidney Injury - chemically induced Drug Contamination Ethylene Glycols - poisoning Female Humans Infant Male Nigeria Poisoning - diagnosis Poisoning - mortality Nigeria
Online Access:	Get more information
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Summary:	Between June and September 1990, 47 children died at Jos University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria from ingestion of paracetamol syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol. Most of the children presented with anuria, fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and convulsions. Signs on admission were tachycardia, acidotic breathing, pallor, oedema and hepatomegaly. Laboratory findings included hyperkalaemia, acidosis, elevated creatinine level and hypoglycaemia. Management consisted of correction of dehydration and acidosis plus administration of antibiotics when indicated. None of the children had dialysis. All died within 2 weeks of admission. Proper government supervision of pharmaceutical companies and their agencies is urgently needed in order to prevent any future occurrence of such tragic deaths.
ISSN:	0272-4936
DOI:	10.1080/02724936.1992.11747577