Glycerol intoxication syndrome in young children, following the consumption of slush ice drinks.

Abstract

Introduction: Slush ice drinks are commonly available refreshments, aimed at children and young people. Glycerol is used to maintain the slush effect in the absence of a high sugar content.

Objective: To describe a series of children who became acutely unwell shortly after consuming a slush ice drink; their presentation mimics specific inherited metabolic diseases (IMDs).

Methods: A retrospective case review of 21 children who presented to centres across the UK and Ireland from 2009 through 2024 was carried out.

Results: Almost all of the children (93%) became unwell within 60 min of slush ice drink consumption. None had any relevant past medical history. The median age at presentation was 3 years 6 months (range 2 years - 6 years 9 months). Presenting features include acute decrease in consciousness (94%), hypoglycaemia (95%), metabolic (lactic) acidosis (94%), pseudohypertriglyceridaemia (89%) and hypokalaemia (75%). Glyceroluria was present in all acute urine organic acid samples. No underlying IMD was found in the 14 patients who underwent further enzymatic or genetic testing. The majority (95%) subsequently avoided slush ice drinks and did not have reoccurrence.

Conclusion: Consumption of slush ice drinks containing glycerol may cause a clinical syndrome of glycerol intoxication in young children, characterised by decreased consciousness, hypoglycaemia, lactic acidosis, pseudohypertriglyceridaemia and hypokalaemia. This mimics inherited disorders of gluconeogenesis and glycerol metabolism. Clinicians and parents should be alert to the phenomenon, and public health bodies should ensure clear messaging regarding the fact that younger children, especially those under 8 years of age, should avoid slush ice drinks containing glycerol.