COMA IN A PREMATURE-INFANT ASSOCIATED WITH THE TRANSDERMAL ABSORPTIONOF PROPYLENE-GLYCOL

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.