Toxicity, Ethylene Glycol Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Daniel C Keyes, MD, MPH; Chief Editor: Asim Tarabar, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2010
 

History

  • As with all poisonings, ascertain the nature of the oral ingestion by talking with the patient.
  • The timing of ingestion is important.
  • The product involved is important. Try to obtain the original container of the ingested substance to confirm its identity.
  • Determine the timing and quantity of liquor or other ethanol ingestion.
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Physical

  • After an adequate airway is ensured, monitor vital signs, including temperature and mental status.
  • A patient breathing deeply and rapidly may be manifesting the Kussmaul respirations, which are indicative of a severe metabolic acidosis.
  • Patients with an altered mental status require rapid assessment and therapy directed at rapidly lethal processes. Ensure and maintain an adequate airway.
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Causes

Causes of ethylene glycol poisoning include the following:

  • Suicide attempts
  • Accidental ingestions (mainly observed in children)
  • Workplace beverage-container mix-ups
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Proceed to Differential Diagnoses
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Daniel C Keyes, MD, MPH  Vice Chair, Academic Affairs, Department of Emergency Medicine, John Peter Smith Health Network; Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Emergency Medicine and Toxicology, University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine

Daniel C Keyes, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Miguel C Fernandez, MD, FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT, FACCT  Associate Clinical Professor; Medical and Managing Director, South Texas Poison Center, Department of Surgery/Emergency Medicine and Toxicology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Miguel C Fernandez, MD, FAAEM, FACEP, FACMT, FACCT is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Clinical Toxicologists, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Medical Toxicology, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD  Regional Director of Pharmacy, Sacred Heart & St. Joseph's Hospitals

John T VanDeVoort, PharmD is a member of the following medical societies: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John G Benitez, MD, MPH, FACMT, FAACT, FACPM, FAAEM,  Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Medical Toxicology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Managing Director, Tennessee Poison Center

John G Benitez, MD, MPH, FACMT, FAACT, FACPM, FAAEM, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Clinical Toxicology, American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Medical Toxicology, American College of Preventive Medicine, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Asim Tarabar, MD  Assistant Professor, Director, Medical Toxicology, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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