Abstract
Homeopathic globules are frequently used in children as a first-line treatment. Most of these globules are coated with sugar substitutes like xylitol; these substitutes are known for their laxative effect. Our patient shows that consumption of globules coated with xylitol does not have only laxative effects. It may cause indeed considerable weight loss and life-threatening enteral bicarbonate loss by diarrhea when overdosed in an infant.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Ly KA, Milgrom P, Rothen M (2008) The potential of dental-protective chewing gum in oral health interventions. J Am Dent Assoc 139:553–563
Menniti-Ippolito F, Mazzanti G, Santuccio C et al (2008) Surveillance of suspected adverse reactions to natural health products in Italy. Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf 17:626–635
Salminen E, Salminen S, Porkka L et al (1989) Xylitol vs. glucose: effect on the rate of gastric emptying and motilin, insulin, and gastric inhibitory polypeptide release. Am J Clin Nutr 49:1228–1232
Tsuneyuki OT, Nakamura S (2007) Threshold for transitory diarrhea induced by ingestion of xylitol und lactitol in young male and female adults. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol 53:13–20
Vernacchio L, Vezina RM, Mitchell AA (2007) Tolerability of oral xylitol solution in young children: implications for otitis media prophylaxis. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 71:89–94
Wang Y-M, van Eys J (1981) Nutritional significance of fructose and sugar alcohols. Annu Rev Nutr 1:437–447
Zuzak T, Rauber-Lüthy C, Simoes-Wüst A (2010) Accidental intakes of remedies from complementary and alternative medicine in children—analysis of data from the Swiss Toxicological Information Centre. Eur J Pediatr 169:681–688
Conflicts of interest
There is no conflict of interest for any of the authors involved in the paper. The authors have no financial relationship with any organizations.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
David Wille and Mathias Hauri-Hohl share first authorship.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wille, D., Hauri-Hohl, M., Vonbach, P. et al. Too much of too little: xylitol, an unusual trigger of a chronic metabolic hyperchloremic acidosis. Eur J Pediatr 169, 1549–1551 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-010-1249-9
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-010-1249-9