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PEDIATRICS Vol. 108 No. 2 August 2001, pp. 473-476

EXPERIENCE AND REASON:
Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide Ingestion: Toxicity and Outcome in a 6-Year-Old Child

Received Sep 26, 2000; accepted Jan 2, 2001.

Nicola Bates

National Poisons Information Service Medical Toxicology Unit London SE14 5ER United Kingdom

Christopher P. Driver

Adrian Bianchi

Department of Paediatric Surgery Royal Manchester Children's Hospital Manchester M27 4HA United Kingdom

A 6-year-old boy developed respiratory distress, metabolic acidosis, severe esophageal and gastric burns, and a coagulopathy after ingestion of an unknown volume of methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP) in dimethyl phthalate. He was discharged from the pediatric intensive care unit 19 days postingestion but subsequently developed a stricture of the gastroesophageal junction and complete fibrosis of the middle third of the stomach, necessitating gastric resection and reconstruction. He was discharged 93 days postingestion on a program of dilation for the residual esophageal stricture. MEKP acts by initiating lipid peroxidation via free radical production that results in cellular dysfunction and death. Acetylcysteine, a glutathione precursor and possible free radical scavenger, may be of use in severe MEKP poisoning. This case demonstrates the severe effects that some industrial chemicals can have both systemically and locally at the point of contact with the gastrointestinal tract, as well as the long-term management required to ensure good quality of life.

 Key words:  methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, poisoning, esophageal stricture, endoscopy.