Severe Neurological Complications Caused by Lidocaine Ingestion in an Infant: A Case Report

Lidocaine ingestion in children can cause lethal neurological and cardiac effects. We report the case of severe neurological disorders due to lidocaine ingestion.

An 8-month-old girl presented to the emergency ward in full cardiac and respiratory arrest, was cyanotic, and hypoxic due to ingestion of 7-8 puffs of lidocaine administered to her mistakenly by her grandmother instead of common cold medication. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was conducted on the infant. Afterward, intralipid emulsion therapy was performed in addition to respiratory ventilation, bicarbonate treatment, and anticonvulsive therapy. The child was breathing spontaneously two days later and was extubated. Subsequently, the infant opened her eyes and had a low response to stimuli. She was later discharged with severe neurological disorders due to low reflection and hypotonia without swallowing and movement.

The use of lidocaine may result in cardiovascular and CNS toxicity, particularly in children. Regarding the potential disadvantages of lidocaine, physicians have to give instructions to minimize the risk of overuse or accidental ingestion of lidocaine by patients.