Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country
Introduction: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is primarily a mixture of propane and butane, and in Pakistan, it typically contains 95-100% propane. With the increasing use of LPG, a rise in poisoning cases has been observed.Case report: We are reporting the case of a 5-year-old male who presented to t...
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Mashhad University of Medical Sciences
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology |
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| Online Access: | https://apjmt.mums.ac.ir/article_25511_43977af3cd7d39a984f1de6768f7045f.pdf |
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| author | Abid Jamali Latif Shamasuddin Aimen Yunus Nadeem Ullah Khan |
| author_facet | Abid Jamali Latif Shamasuddin Aimen Yunus Nadeem Ullah Khan |
| author_sort | Abid Jamali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is primarily a mixture of propane and butane, and in Pakistan, it typically contains 95-100% propane. With the increasing use of LPG, a rise in poisoning cases has been observed.Case report: We are reporting the case of a 5-year-old male who presented to the pediatric emergency department with unconsciousness lasting approximately 30 minutes after being found near an LPG cylinder in the kitchen. Upon arrival, the patient was tachycardic, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 11/15. The systemic examination was unremarkable, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a normal sinus rhythm. However, troponin-I levels were elevated at 135 ng/L (normal range: 0-57 ng/L), and blood gases revealed mild acidosis with bicarbonate levels of 16.8. A repeat troponin-I measurement showed a significant increase to 749 ng/L, prompting initiation of inotropic support with epinephrine. After 12 hours, troponin-I levels began to decrease. The patient remained in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for 36 hours before being discharged in stable condition.Discussion: Propane gas is heavier than air, causing it to flow along the floors. It acts as an asphyxiating gas, displacing oxygen in the lungs and making breathing difficult. Propane primarily affects the respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of admitting children exposed to LPG to higher care units for close monitoring, as initial cardiac enzyme levels and ECG may appear normal but can rapidly worsen. Serial monitoring of cardiac enzymes and electrocardiograms is crucial to prevent lethal arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6101e458c10044b5b32f62d52eed6a9e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2322-2611 2322-4320 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Mashhad University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology |
| spelling | doaj-art-6101e458c10044b5b32f62d52eed6a9e2025-02-01T06:56:22ZengMashhad University of Medical SciencesAsia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology2322-26112322-43202024-12-0113417117410.22038/apjmt.2025.83400.147825511Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income CountryAbid Jamali0Latif Shamasuddin1Aimen Yunus2Nadeem Ullah Khan3Department of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, PakistanIntroduction: Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is primarily a mixture of propane and butane, and in Pakistan, it typically contains 95-100% propane. With the increasing use of LPG, a rise in poisoning cases has been observed.Case report: We are reporting the case of a 5-year-old male who presented to the pediatric emergency department with unconsciousness lasting approximately 30 minutes after being found near an LPG cylinder in the kitchen. Upon arrival, the patient was tachycardic, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 11/15. The systemic examination was unremarkable, and the electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a normal sinus rhythm. However, troponin-I levels were elevated at 135 ng/L (normal range: 0-57 ng/L), and blood gases revealed mild acidosis with bicarbonate levels of 16.8. A repeat troponin-I measurement showed a significant increase to 749 ng/L, prompting initiation of inotropic support with epinephrine. After 12 hours, troponin-I levels began to decrease. The patient remained in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) for 36 hours before being discharged in stable condition.Discussion: Propane gas is heavier than air, causing it to flow along the floors. It acts as an asphyxiating gas, displacing oxygen in the lungs and making breathing difficult. Propane primarily affects the respiratory, nervous, and cardiovascular systems.Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of admitting children exposed to LPG to higher care units for close monitoring, as initial cardiac enzyme levels and ECG may appear normal but can rapidly worsen. Serial monitoring of cardiac enzymes and electrocardiograms is crucial to prevent lethal arrhythmias and cardiac dysfunction.https://apjmt.mums.ac.ir/article_25511_43977af3cd7d39a984f1de6768f7045f.pdfliquefied petroleum gaspropanepediatric poisoninglow-middle incomepakistan |
| spellingShingle | Abid Jamali Latif Shamasuddin Aimen Yunus Nadeem Ullah Khan Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country Asia Pacific Journal of Medical Toxicology liquefied petroleum gas propane pediatric poisoning low-middle income pakistan |
| title | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country |
| title_full | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country |
| title_fullStr | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country |
| title_full_unstemmed | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country |
| title_short | Liquefied Petroleum Gas Poisoning in a Child: A Case Report from a Low-Middle Income Country |
| title_sort | liquefied petroleum gas poisoning in a child a case report from a low middle income country |
| topic | liquefied petroleum gas propane pediatric poisoning low-middle income pakistan |
| url | https://apjmt.mums.ac.ir/article_25511_43977af3cd7d39a984f1de6768f7045f.pdf |
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