Does unintentional ingestion of ethylene glycol represent a serious risk?

The objective of this study was to evaluate data retrospectively on accidental ingestion of ethylene glycol (EG), based on calls to the Czech Toxicological Information Centre and from toxicological laboratories, in the years 2000-2004. All patients who ingested a known amount of EG and/or subjects with measured serum EG levels were included. A variety of clinical and laboratory parameters was collected. The medical records of 86 subjects, who had ingested from one to three swallows of EG, were analysed. The following findings emerged-metabolic acidosis (41%), vomiting (36%), nephrotoxicity (10%), and CNS depression (9%). In 15 children, the time interval between ingestion and hospitalisation was 1 hour or less. Ethanol was given to 12 children (four as first aid), and none developed hypoglycaemia. Of the 71 adults, 93% were treated with ethanol (19 as first aid). No side effects were documented. Seventeen patients received haemodialysis (HD). Two patients recovered without HD; their EG levels were higher than in the HD-treated patients. Unintentional EG ingestion usually involves ingestion of a small amount of EG, and was connected with mild signs of intoxication. Early therapy with ethanol alone appears sufficient in such cases, and represents no risk of adverse effects.