Pediatric Ethanol Toxicity

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Practice Essentials

Ethanol is a 2-carbon–chain alcohol; the chemical formula is CH2 CH3 OH. It is ubiquitous throughout the world and is a leading cause of morbidity across cultures. Ethanol is the most common psychoactive drug used by children and adolescents in the United States and is one of the most commonly abused drugs in the world.[1]

Assessment of pediatric ethanol toxicity can be complicated by several factors. These include reluctance to admit ingestion, underestimation of the amount ingested, ingestion of other toxins (eg, methanol in perfume or cologne), and related trauma. (See Presentation.) The mainstay of treatment is supportive care. Hypoglycemia and respiratory depression are the two most immediate life-threatening complications that result from ethanol intoxication in children. (See Treatment.)

Pathophysiology

Ethanol has a volume of distribution (0.6 L/kg) and is readily distributed throughout the body. The primary route of absorption is oral, although it can be absorbed by inhalation and even percutaneously.



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The pathway of ethanol metabolism. Disulfiram reduces the rate of oxidation of acetaldehyde by competing with the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucl....

Ethanol exerts its actions through several mechanisms. For instance, it binds directly to the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor in the CNS and causes sedative effects similar to those of benzodiazepines, which bind to the same GABA receptor. Furthermore, ethanol is also an N -methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate antagonist in the CNS. Ethanol also has direct effects on cardiac muscle, thyroid tissue, and hepatic tissue. However, the exact molecular targets of ethanol and the mechanism of action are still the subjects of ongoing research.[2, 3]

Ethanol is rapidly absorbed, and peak serum concentrations typically occur 30-60 minutes after ingestion. Its absorption into the body starts in the oral mucosa and continues in the stomach and intestine. Both high and low concentrations of ethanol are slowly absorbed; the co-ingestion of food also slows absorption.

In young children, ethanol causes hypoglycemia and hypoglycemic seizures; these complications are not as common in older patients. Hypoglycemia occurs secondary to ethanol's inhibition of gluconeogenesis and secondary to the relatively smaller glycogen stores in the livers of young children. In toddlers who have not eaten for several hours, even small quantities of ethanol can cause hypoglycemia.

Ethanol is primarily metabolized in the liver. Approximately 90% of an ethanol load is broken down in the liver; the remainder is eliminated by the kidneys and lungs. In children, ethanol is cleared by the liver at the rate of approximately 30 mg/dL/h, which is more rapid than the clearance rate in adults.

In the liver, ethanol is broken down into acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). Then, it is further broken down to acetic acid by acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. Acetic acid is fed into the Krebs cycle and is ultimately broken down into carbon dioxide and water. Also, a gastric isozyme of ADH breaks down a significant amount of ethanol before it can be absorbed; sex differences in ADH may, in part, account for differences in ethanol effects per given quantity consumed between men and women.

Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Ethanol use and intoxication in adolescents is widespread in the United States. In the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 21% of high school students admitted to drinking alcohol before age 13 years. The survey also found that 71% ever drank alcohol and 39% had at least one drink in the 30 days prior to the survey. More alarmingly, 24% rode in a vehicle with a driver who drank alcohol and 8% drove a vehicle after drinking alcohol.[4] The actual incidence of ethanol poisoning in young children is unknown.

International

Ethanol use in countries other than the United States is common; however, literature about the incidence of ethanol intoxication in pediatric populations in other countries is scant.

Mortality/Morbidity

Trauma is the leading cause of mortality in children, and ethanol use is linked to a 3-fold to 7-fold increased risk of trauma. Ethanol use is also strongly linked to other risk-taking behaviors that can lead to minor trauma, assault, illicit drug use, and teenage pregnancy. Approximately 40% of the 10,000 annual nonautomotive pediatric deaths (usually drownings and falls) are associated with ethanol.

The concomitant use of ethanol and other drugs is common, and combinations of ethanol with other sedative-hypnotics or opioids may potentiate the sedative effects.

Ethanol greatly increases the risk of trauma, especially trauma due to motor vehicle collisions or violent crimes. In a study of 295 pediatrics patients aged 10-21 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) for treatment of any type of injury, Meropol et al found that 15 patients tested positive for alcohol; however, only 4 of these patients were tested upon initial ED evaluation.[5] Additionally, alcohol is frequently linked with injuries secondary to assault and motor vehicle crashes.

The intoxicated individual often engages in high-risk activities, despite the fact that his or her reflexes are substantially slowed. Adolescent binge drinking has been linked with high-risk behaviors such as riding in cars with intoxicated drivers, sexual activity, smoking cigarettes/cigars, suicide attempts, and illicit drug use and may be the victim of dating violence.[6] Early alcohol use has been linked to dating violence victimization, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts.[5]

Race-, Sex-, and Age-related Demographics

Data supporting a racial predilection in pediatric populations are limited. Studies of adult patients suggest a lower tolerance in patients of Asian descent. This is most likely due to differences in expression or enzyme activity of ADH.

Data supporting a sex predilection in pediatric populations are limited. Studies in adults have reported that gastric ADH breaks down a significant amount of ethanol before it can be absorbed, which may, in part, account for differences in tolerance between men and women. Interestingly, one study found that among children aged 12-20, more drinking without binges was reported among girls than among boys but that binge-drinking rates were still similar.[6]

In the 2015 report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers’ National Poison Data System, children younger than 6 years accounted for 1791 of the 2620 single exposures to non-beverage, non–rubbing-alcohol ethanol. Most single exposures to ethanol beverages involved adults; however, 1579 of the 6761 cases involved children under the age of 6 years; 882 involved teenagers.[7]

 

History

Ethanol intoxication is often difficult to diagnose in young children and toddlers. Important questions to ask parents include the following:

If ingestion is known or suspected, determining exactly what and how much the patient ingested is important. The name, composition, and concentration of the alcohol are helpful. Be aware that patients often grossly underestimate the amount of ethanol that they ingested.

In cases where parents bring in a young child who has ingested an unknown amount, have the parents estimate how much was in the container and subtract that amount from the total volume of the container to estimate the amount ingested or possibly ingested.

The amount of ethanol in a product is often expressed as a percentage, which is the ratio of the volume of pure ethanol to the total volume of fluid. The formula for determining the percentage of ethanol is as follows:

                                           X% = X g/100 mL

The concentration of ethanol in distilled spirits may be expressed as a proof, which is equal to twice the percentage of ethanol.

Ethanol concentrations in some common substances are as follows:

Other toxic alcohols are also often found in these products, such as methanol in perfume or cologne.

Ethanol concentrations in some common alcoholic beverages are as follows:

Other considerations include the following:

Physical

Infants and toddlers have a clinical course significantly different from that of adolescents and adults. Ethanol ingestion and intoxication can lead to a marked hypoglycemic state in infants and young children. Ethanol has a CNS depressant action that can also lead to respiratory depression and hypoxia. Ethanol has a sedative effect, producing general CNS depression, respiratory depression, and often hypoglycemia. Young children often present to the ED after drinking discarded alcoholic beverages left within their reach during and after parties or after ingesting a fluid that contains ethanol. In older children and adolescents, ethanol intoxication causes CNS depression, leading to respiratory depression. Hypoglycemia is less common in this group.

As with all patients, a careful physical examination is warranted. In patients in whom ethanol ingestion is suspected, carefully evaluate his or her mental status and perform a thorough neurologic examination. Evaluate for signs of trauma, neglect, and illicit drug use. Ethanol ingestion makes the patient more prone to trauma due to accidents or crime. The clinician's most crucial clues to ethanol ingestion are a change in the patient's mental status and the smell of alcohol on the patient's breath. The presence or absence of ethanol on breath cannot be used to diagnose or exclude ethanol intoxication.

Compared with nonintoxicated teenagers, intoxicated teenagers are much more likely to be affected by violence, even after drinking only one alcoholic beverage. Recent reports describe the use of sedatives with alcohol to create date-rape drug combinations. Therefore, possible sexual assault should be considered in teenaged patients.

Young children commonly ingest ethanol when they drink a liquid not meant for consumption, such as perfume or cleaning agents. Frequently, other chemicals in the ingested substance are more toxic than the ethanol. Therefore, a detailed physical examination is important to evaluate for any signs and symptoms caused by these other toxins. Also, give special attention to the examination of the oral cavity and airway because substances in cleaning agents can cause chemical burns to these areas.

In children, the classic triad of signs of ethanol intoxication includes coma, hypoglycemia, and hypothermia. These signs usually occur when the Ethanol level in the blood exceeds 50-100 mg/dL. However, hypoglycemia can be seen with serum Ethanol levels as low as 50 mg/dL. Relatively small amounts of ethanol can produce hypoglycemia, especially in patients with low glycogen stores, such as infants and small children who have not eaten for several hours.

Causes

Pediatric ethanol intoxication occurs in patterns that vary with the patient's age. Contributing factors may include poor parenting habits or inadequate supervision.

Laboratory Studies

See the list below:

Imaging Studies

See the list below:

Approach Considerations

The mainstay of treatment of patients with ethanol toxicity is supportive care. Many modalities for treating ethanol intoxication and enhancing ethanol clearance have been attempted. In general, a conservative approach is recommended.

Hypoglycemia and respiratory depression are the 2 most immediate life-threatening complications that result from ethanol intoxication in children.

Initial care includes the following:

Treatments that are not recommended include the following:

Hemodialysis efficiently clears ethanol from the blood but is an invasive procedure; thus, its use is not routinely recommended. Hemodialysis can be used in patients whose clinical condition is deteriorating or in patients whose CNS depression, respiratory depression, or hypotension is refractory to standard therapy. Patients who have impaired hepatic function may require dialysis to clear an ethanol load.

Indications for hospital admission include the following:

Consultations

See the list below:

Diet

See the list below:

Activity

See the list below:

Medication Summary

Vitamin and electrolyte replacement is recommended only for specific deficits detected by means of laboratory testing. Thiamine replacement is an exception because it is the only vitamin for which routine administration is recommended and it has been proved useful in patients with chronic alcohol abuse. Thiamine is given to prevent Wernicke syndrome.

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Clinical Context:  An essential coenzyme of carbohydrate metabolism. Given to all patients with suspected chronic alcohol abuse. Only drug used in patients with ethanol intoxication without a documented deficit. Used in treatment and prevention of Wernicke syndrome.

Class Summary

Vitamins are organic substances required in small amounts for various metabolic processes. In the body, vitamins may be synthesized in small or insufficient amounts or not at all; thus, supplementation may be required. Vitamins are used in patients with suspected chronic ethanol abuse to prevent serious neurologic complications. If feasible, thiamine should be administered prior to glucose load to reduce risk of Wernicke encephalopathy.

Further Outpatient Care

Patients who chronically abuse alcohol should be referred to an outpatient treatment group. Family counseling is also helpful.[9]

Patients who had an unintentional ingestion may follow up with their primary pediatrician. A safe home environment must be emphasized.

Further Inpatient Care

See the list below:

Inpatient & Outpatient Medications

Thiamine administered daily on an inpatient basis is recommended in patients who have chronically abused ethanol. The length of therapy is well documented.

Transfer

Children requiring PICU monitoring, respiratory or cardiovascular support should be transferred to a facility with the appropriate resources.

Deterrence/Prevention

With toddlers or young children, preventive measures include the following:

WIth adolescents, preventive measures include the following:

Complications

Short-term complications include the following:

Long-term complications of chronic ethanol abuse in children are not well described in the medical literature. Complications usually develop over several years. Because most pediatric patients do not start abusing ethanol until later in their adolescence, they do not present with long-term complications such as liver dysfunction (eg, cirrhosis) and cardiac problems until after they become adults.

Research has confirmed that intense neurologic development occurs both in utero and during adolescence. Heavy drinking in adolescents has been associated with deficits in visuospatial function. Heavy drinking in adolescents may also lead to chronic neurologic damage of a similar mechanism to that seen in fetal alcohol syndrome.

Current research is focusing on the effects of adolescent binge drinking on the hippocampus and frontal cortex. These areas appear to be particularly sensitive to the binge pattern of drinking, which predominates in adolescents.[10] Magnetic resonance imaging has demonstrated that adolescents who abuse alcohol have lower hippocampal volume than healthy controls.[11]

Prognosis

The prognosis for pediatric patients with ethanol toxicity is excellent, provided the patient can avoid both the long-term use of alcohol and the short-term complications of alcohol abuse.

Patient Education

Parents should be taught to prevent accidental ingestion at home by storing ethanol-containing liquids out of the reach of children and by disposing of unfinished alcoholic beverages.

Educating adolescents about alcohol abuse has proved challenging, as follows:

Author

Elizabeth Fernandez, MD, Attending Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Long Island Jewish Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Christopher I Doty, MD, FAAEM, FACEP, Professor of Emergency Medicine, Vice Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Kentucky-Chandler Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editors

Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Jeffrey R Tucker, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Connecticut Children's Medical Center

Disclosure: Received salary from Merck for employment.

Chief Editor

Timothy E Corden, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Co-Director, Policy Core, Injury Research Center, Medical College of Wisconsin; Associate Director, PICU, Children's Hospital of Wisconsin

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Halim Hennes, MD, MS, Division Director, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Southwestern Medical School; Director of Emergency Services, Children's Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Acknowledgements

The author gratefully acknowledges the previous coauthors Dr. Sage Wiener and Dr. Binita Shah for their contributions to the development and writing of this article.

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The pathway of ethanol metabolism. Disulfiram reduces the rate of oxidation of acetaldehyde by competing with the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) for binding sites on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).

The pathway of ethanol metabolism. Disulfiram reduces the rate of oxidation of acetaldehyde by competing with the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) for binding sites on aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH).