A Case of Pediatric Ingesion
Fri, 03/23/2018 - 4:03pm
A 2-year old presents with a chief complaint of accidental mothball ingestion 2 days ago per his mother. He appears pale and has had a couple episodes of vomiting. He has a history of G6PD deficiency. What are your immediate concerns? (scroll down for answer)
Answer: Hemolytic anemia in the setting of naphthalene toxicity
Naphthalene toxicity pearls
- Naphthalene is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon found in mothballs
- Metabolized via the liver
- Symptoms can present 2-3 days after initial ingestion and include fatigue, weakness, pallor, and jaundice; may lead to methemoglobinemia
- Patients with G6PD deficiency at higher risk for hemolysis and may need exchange transfusion
- Important labs to send: CBC, LDH, haptoglobin, liver function panel, methemoglobin level, possibly a blood gas depending on how critically ill they are
- Assess for co-ingestions
- Toxicology consult and admission
References:
Sudakin, D. “Naphthalene Mothballs: Emerging and Recurring Issues and their Relevance to Environmental Health.” Accessed viahttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850774.
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