E-cigarette Liquid Pediatric Poisoning on Increase in Texas

Dec. 22--Pediatric emergency room doctors in Houston are warning of a recent increase in the number of children treated after ingesting the liquid nicotine used in e-cigarettes.

While national poisoning rates from this source have declined for the first time in 2015, according to the Southeast Texas Poison Control Center, the number of poisonings in Harris County this year has reached 35, up from 30 in 2014.

"That is just a snapshot; it's the ones we hear about," said Jon Thompson, managing director of the poison control center in Galveston. "It doesn't really represent the true numbers of what's going on."

Thompson said most of the poisoning calls have involved young children.

"Just a sip of the liquid nicotine solution can kill a child," said Dr. Robert Lapus, emergency medicine physician at UTHealth, Children's Memorial Hermann Memorial City and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital. "It can potentially be fatal for an adult."

In the most common nicotine concentration, even a half a teaspoon could be fatal, Lapus said. The liquid often includes coloring and flavoring that could be tempting for young children. Last fall, a toddler from Fort Plain, N.Y., died after ingesting liquid nicotine. His was believed to be the first death related to e-cigarette poisoning.

A handful of states have passed laws requiring liquid nicotine to be sold with childproof packaging. Earlier this year, the Food and Drug Administration proposed requiring such packaging for e-cigarette liquids, and this month, the U.S. Senate passed a bill that would mandate it. The House of Representatives has yet to consider the bill.

Lapus said emergency room doctors can counteract the poison with medication and should closely monitor the children after ingestion, treating the symptoms and providing supportive care. He advised parents to call their local poison control center (1-800-222-1222) if they suspect a poisoning.

"Everybody thinks you should try to get the kid to vomit," he said. "You definitely don't want to do that. That could cause more harm."

Lapus recommends parents keep e-cigarette liquids locked up and out of reach of children, much as they would any medication or other harmful substance.

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