New Delhi: What began as a routine day at home turned into a medical emergency for a 19-month-old child who accidentally ingested mosquito-repellent liquid, leading to life-threatening lung injury and a prolonged battle for survival.The child was rushed to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital after reportedly accessing a mosquito-repellent refill bottle and consuming some of the liquid. Doctors said part of the chemical may also have entered the lungs, triggering severe complications that left the child critically ill.Within hours, the toddler developed acute lung injury, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, shock, kidney injury and multi-organ dysfunction. Oxygen levels remained critically low despite intensive care, raising concerns about survival and possible long-term lung damage.“The child came to us in an extremely critical condition. For a period, survival appeared unlikely as oxygen levels remained severely compromised,” said Dr Dhiren Gupta, who led the treatment with the hospital’s paediatric intensive care team comprising Dr Suresh Gupta, Dr Anil Sachdeva and Dr Neeraj Gupta.The child remained in the paediatric intensive care unit, requiring advanced ventilatory support, medication to maintain blood pressure and specialised therapies to improve oxygenation.After 20 days of intensive care, the toddler began to recover and was eventually discharged. Doctors said the child’s neurological recovery was notable despite prolonged low oxygen levels.The case also highlights a lesser-recognised household hazard. According to the family, the toddler pulled a chair to reach a plugged-in mosquito-repellent device and handled the refill unit.Doctors said such products are often perceived as harmless but can be dangerous if ingested or inhaled. Even a small amount entering the lungs can cause severe chemical injury, they added.They advised parents to keep mosquito-repellent devices, refill packs and insecticides out of children’s reach, and to check for loose fittings or leaks before use.The incident underlines how common household products can pose serious risks to young children within minutes.
