Ethylene glycol poisoning

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
W8MD's weight loss doctor NYC
Philadelphia GLP-1 weight loss and GLP-1 clinic NYC

Ethylene glycol poisoning
Chemical structure of ethylene glycol
Synonyms	N/A
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, central nervous system depression, metabolic acidosis, kidney failure
Complications	Seizures, coma, death
Onset	Symptoms may appear within 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion
Duration	Variable, depending on the amount ingested and treatment
Types	N/A
Causes	Ingestion of ethylene glycol
Risks	Accidental ingestion, suicide attempt, alcoholism
Diagnosis	Blood tests, urinalysis, anion gap
Differential diagnosis	Methanol poisoning, isopropanol poisoning, diabetic ketoacidosis
Prevention	Proper storage and labeling of antifreeze products
Treatment	Fomepizole, ethanol, hemodialysis, supportive care
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Good with early treatment, poor if untreated
Frequency	Rare
Deaths	N/A

Ethylene glycol poisoning is a type of poisoning that occurs when a person ingests ethylene glycol, a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, and highly toxic liquid commonly found in antifreeze, hydraulic brake fluids, and some detergents.

Causes

Ethylene glycol poisoning typically occurs through ingestion, often as a result of accidental or intentional consumption of products containing ethylene glycol. It can also occur through skin contact or inhalation, although these routes are less common.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning can be divided into three stages. The first stage, which occurs within a few hours of ingestion, includes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, and incoordination. The second stage, which occurs 12 to 24 hours after ingestion, is characterized by rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, and rapid breathing. The third stage, which occurs 24 to 72 hours after ingestion, is characterized by kidney failure, which can lead to death if not treated promptly.

Sample of Ethylene glycol 01

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning is often based on a person's history of exposure to ethylene glycol and the presence of characteristic symptoms. Laboratory tests, including blood and urine tests, can also be used to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment

Treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning typically involves the use of fomepizole or ethanol, which inhibit the metabolism of ethylene glycol into toxic metabolites. In severe cases, hemodialysis may be required to remove ethylene glycol and its metabolites from the body.

Prevention

Prevention of ethylene glycol poisoning involves proper storage and disposal of products containing ethylene glycol, as well as education about the dangers of ingesting these products.

See also

• Poisoning
• Antifreeze
• Fomepizole
• Ethanol
• Hemodialysis

   This article is a toxicology-related stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!

   This article is a medical stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it!