Ethanol Poisoning in Children

Over a two-year period seven children were seen with acute ethanolpoisoning. The features and incidence of such poisonings arereviewed, and the reasons for young children drinking alcoholicbeverages are considered. It is important to think of ethanol as a possible cause of poisoningin an unrousable or floppy infant, particulary between the agesof two and four. With the risks from hypoglycaemia such casesshould be treated in hospital with facilities for monitoringblood glucose as well as blood ethanol. Although in the past not a common cause of childhood poisoningwith the increased availability of ethanol in the home it ispossible that many cases will be seen.