Infant hospitalized after mistaking acid for vitamins

A one-month-old infant is receiving treatment at Ninh Binh Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital after accidentally ingesting five drops of 80% trichloroacetic acid. The incident occurred when a caregiver mistook the chemical for vitamin liquid because it was stored in a similar bottle.

Upon ingestion, the infant exhibited symptoms including foaming at the mouth, intense crying, blue lips, and decreased oxygen levels. Medical examinations revealed severe burns to the oral cavity and left cheek, as well as respiratory and digestive tract burns. Doctors performed intubation and transferred the child to the intensive care unit for treatment involving sedation, mechanical ventilation, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medication.

After approximately eight days of intensive care, the infant's condition has stabilized, and the child has been able to breastfeed. While no permanent disabilities have been recorded yet, medical professionals warned of potential risks regarding scarring and narrowing of the digestive and respiratory tracts, requiring close monitoring for the next one to two weeks.