Neonatal accidental burn by isopropyl alcohol

Antiseptic solutions are commonly used for skin care but are not always safe. In preterm infants, application of antiseptic solutions can lead to serious burns. We report the case of a premature newborn who developed severe burns at 35 weeks post-conceptional age, after his mother used disposable an...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArchives de pédiatrie : organe officiel de la Société française de pédiatrie Vol. 11; no. 8; p. 932
Main Authors Brayer, C, Micheau, P, Bony, C, Tauzin, L, Pilorget, H, Sampériz, S, Alessandri, J L
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published France 01.08.2004
Subjects
2-Propanol - poisoning
Accidents, Home
Bacteremia - complications
Burns, Chemical - etiology
Burns, Chemical - therapy
Enterococcus faecalis
Fatal Outcome
Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections - complications
Humans
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature, Diseases - chemically induced
Infant, Premature, Diseases - microbiology
Infant, Premature, Diseases - therapy
Male
Multiple Organ Failure - chemically induced
Multiple Organ Failure - microbiology
Parents - education
Product Labeling
Pseudomonas Infections - complications
Skin Absorption
Skin Care - adverse effects
Skin Care - instrumentation
Skin Diseases, Bacterial - complications
Staphylococcal Infections - complications
Staphylococcus epidermidis
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Summary:Antiseptic solutions are commonly used for skin care but are not always safe. In preterm infants, application of antiseptic solutions can lead to serious burns. We report the case of a premature newborn who developed severe burns at 35 weeks post-conceptional age, after his mother used disposable antiseptic towels containing isopropyl alcohol for his skin care. Burns outcome led to diffuse skin burn and death of the baby. Several cases of isopropyl alcohol poisoning through skin absorption have been reported in neonate and infants. Because of its neonatal toxicity, isopropyl alcohol has been excluded from composition of antiseptic solutions commonly used in neonatology. However, isopropyl alcohol is still available in many housecleaning and cosmetic products, while its toxic effects in children are not clearly mentioned. A specific mention "toxic for infants and children" should appear on mass consumption products containing isopropyl alcohol. Moreover, health workers may individually inform parents about possible hazards of poisoning through skin absorption.
ISSN:0929-693X
DOI:10.1016/j.arcped.2004.04.023