Acetic Acid Intoxication by Rectal Administration

Abstract

The enhanced toxicity of acid instilled directly into the rectum, without benefit of dilution and neutralization in the upper intestine, is evident in a case of acetic acid intoxication by accidental rectal administration of 50 mL of 9% acetic acid to a 5-year-old boy. The complications included necrosis of the colon, acute renal failure, acute liver dysfunction, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) and sepsis.

Key Words:

• acetic acid
• caustics
• toxicity
• administration, rectal
• child