Treatment of severe pediatric ethylene glycol intoxication without hemodialysis

BACKGROUND: There is limited experience treating severe ethylene glycol poisoning in children without hemodialysis. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical course and outcome of severe pediatric ethylene glycol poisoning treated without hemodialysis. METHODS: Patient records were identified retrospectively by hospital discharge diagnosis (ICD-9 code) of ethylene glycol poisoning from 1999 through 2002 at a pediatric medial center. Patients with initial serum ethylene glycol concentrations less than 50 mg/dL or those who received hemodialysis were excluded. RESULTS: Six patients with an age range of 22 months to 14 years were admitted for treatment of ethylene glycol poisoning over a four-year period. Initial serum ethylene glycol concentrations ranged from 62 to 304 mg/dL (mean 174.0 mg/dL). The lowest-measured individual serum bicarbonates ranged from 4 to 17 mEq/L. All patients were initially admitted to intensive care. One patient received ethanol only, two patients received fomepizole only, and three patients received a loading dose of ethanol and then were converted to fomepizole therapy. None of the patients received hemodialysis. Treatment was continued until the serum ethylene glycol was less than 10 mg/dL. Metabolic acidosis resolved with intravenous fluid and supplemental bicarbonate within 24h. All patients had a normal creatinine upon presentation and at discharge. The mean length of stay in intensive care was 21h and on the ward was 33.7h. One episode of hypoglycemia occurred in a 22-month-old. All patients recovered without evidence of renal insufficiency or other major complications at discharge. CONCLUSION: Six pediatric patients with severe ethylene glycol intoxication and normal renal function were successfully treated without hemodialysis.