Korean J Pediatr.  2016 Dec;59(12):490-493. 10.3345/kjp.2016.59.12.490.

Accidental ingestion of E-cigarette liquid nicotine in a 15-month-old child: an infant mortality case of nicotine intoxication

• Seo AD
• Kim DC
• Yu HJ
• Kang MJ

• KMID: 2367408
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3345/kjp.2016.59.12.490

Abstract

Electronic cigarettes are novel tobacco products that are frequently used these days. The cartridge contains liquid nicotine and accidental poisoning, even with a small oral dose, endangers children. We present here a mortality case of a 15-month-old child who ingested liquid nicotine mistaking it for cold medicine. When the emergency medical technicians arrived, she was found to have pulseless electrical activity. Spontaneous circulation was restored after approximately 40 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The cotinine level in her urine was 1,716 ng/mL. Despite intensive supportive care, severe anoxic brain injury was found on computed tomography and the child ultimately died. This fatality highlights the need for public health efforts to minimize such accidents.

Keyword

Liquid nicotine; E-cigarettes; Intoxication

MeSH Terms

Brain Injuries
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Child*
Cotinine
Eating*
Electronic Cigarettes*
Emergency Medical Technicians
Humans
Infant Mortality*
Infant*
Mortality
Nicotine*
Poisoning
Public Health
Tobacco Products
Cotinine
Nicotine