O. Peleg et al., COMA IN A PREMATURE-INFANT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSDERMAL ABSORPTIONOF PROPYLENE-GLYCOL, Acta paediatrica, 87(11), 1998, pp. 1195-1196
A case of propylene glycol intoxication in a premature infant is repor
ted. The infant went into a state of coma after treatment for bums wit
h antiseptic dressings. Cessation of the topical treatment resulted in
complete recovery. An exceptionally high level of the dressings' solv
ent, propylene glycol, found in the urinary chromatogram, was believed
to be the causative agent. It is suggested that topical preparations
containing propylene glycol should not be used in premature infants du
ring the first weeks of life.