Citation

Burkhart KK, Kulig KW, Rumack B. Ann. Emerg. Med. 1990; 19(10): 1167-1170.

Affiliation

Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center, Denver 80204-4507.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, American College of Emergency Physicians, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1977339

Abstract

A 16-year-old boy ingested approximately 50 zinc sulfate tablets (ZnSO4; 500-mg tablets). After spontaneous emesis, ipecac-induced emesis, and orogastric lavage, an abdominal radiograph performed four hours after ingestion still demonstrated approximately 50 ZnSO4 tablets within the stomach and three pills within the colon. Whole-bowel irrigation was begun with a polyethylene glycol lavage solution (PEG; Golytely) that was administered through a nasogastric tube; within one hour, the patient began producing a rectal effluent that contained pills. The patient remained asymptomatic throughout whole-bowel irrigation. Stool guaiac tests were negative. The serum chloride, however, increased from 105 to 127 mEq/L. Follow-up kidney, ureter, and bladder studies demonstrated the clearance of the zinc tablets from the gastrointestinal tract during the next 24 hours.

Language: en