Cutaneous necrosis after contact with calcium chloride : A mistaken diagnosis of child abuse

Necrosis of the skin after contact with calcium chloride has been described in a variety of situations, including that of oil field workers and prolonged electroencephalographic testing (contact paste). Circumscribed dystrophic dermal calcification was reported for the first time in 1935 and may fol...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics (Evanston) 1996-02, Vol.97 (2), p.257-258
Main Authors: ZURBUCHEN, P, LECOULTRE, C, CALZA, A.-M, HALPERIN, D. S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Calcium chloride
Calcium Chloride - adverse effects
Case studies
Child
Child abuse
Child Abuse - diagnosis
Children & youth
Dermatitis, Contact - etiology
Dermatitis, Contact - pathology
Dermatology
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Errors
Health aspects
Humans
Injuries
Male
Medical sciences
Necrosis - chemically induced
Pediatrics
Skin
Skin involvement in other diseases. Miscellaneous. General aspects
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Summary:Necrosis of the skin after contact with calcium chloride has been described in a variety of situations, including that of oil field workers and prolonged electroencephalographic testing (contact paste). Circumscribed dystrophic dermal calcification was reported for the first time in 1935 and may follow the application of dry calcium or calcium-containing solutions. The authors report a case of percutaneous penetration of a defrosting, industrial calcium salt, which was followed by deep-dermal thigh necrosis in a child. This uncommon injury raised concern about child abuse.
ISSN:0031-4005
1098-4275
DOI:10.1542/peds.97.2.257