Fatal accidental ingestion of 35 % hydrogen peroxide by a 2-year-old female: case report and literature review

Abstract

Deaths after ingestion of hydrogen peroxide (HP) are very rare, but poisoning due to consumption of HP is not uncommon. Most HP exposure involves common household-strength (3%) HP and is usually benign. Even if it is not generally considered to be a poison, it can cause accidental death. HP results in morbidity through two main mechanisms: direct cytotoxic injury to tissues and formation of oxygen gas. We describe a rare case of a 2-year-old female who died after accidentally ingesting two sips of 35% HP. For the first time, we provide histopathological images of the damage caused by HP in organic tissues.