PEDIATRICS Vol. 43 No. 4 April 1969, pp. 622-623
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow P3Rs: Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when P3Rs are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by McFadden, S. W.
Right arrow Articles by Haddow, J. E.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by McFadden, S. W.
Right arrow Articles by Haddow, J. E.

Coma Produced by Topical Application of Isopropanol

Samuel Wilton McFadden M.D.1 and James Edward Haddow M.D.1

1 The Boston City Hospital Pediatric Service 818 Harrison Avenue Boston, Massachusetts 02118

The topical use of isopropyl alcohol to reduce fever in children is a common procedure in pediatric practice. Deep coma has been reported in two children, presumably from inhalation of the alcohol during sponging procedures in poorly ventilated areas.1,2 Absorption through the skin has not been reported to be a significant portal of entry.3 The toxic effects of ingested isopropanol in humans are reported to be similar to those of ethanol, but they occur at lower blood concentrations.4 The lethal dose for adults of ingested 70% isopropyl alcohol has been estimated to be 240 ml.5 The following case is reported as an example of coma in an infant following injudicious topical application of isopropanol for the relief of fever.




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 JBJSHome page
J. C. Krieg
Isopropyl Alcohol Poisoning from Cast Application. A Case Report
J. Bone Joint Surg. Am., September 1, 2008; 90(9): 1998 - 1999.
[Full Text] [PDF]