EVALI in a 2-year-old child – a near death condition

• Main Authors: Md Rifin, Sakinah, Shalihin, Mohd Shaiful Ehsan, Mohd Sabri, Nur Izzati
• Format: Proceeding Paper
• Language: English; English; English
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: R Medicine (General); RC Internal medicine; RJ Pediatrics
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/107446/1/Case%20Report%20EVALI.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107446/2/MAKLUMAN%20PENERIMAAN%20ABSTRAK%20BAGI%20PROGRAM%20PAHANG%20RESEARCH%20DAY%202023.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107446/3/Abstract%20EVALI.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/107446/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

Introduction: E-cigarette or vaping-use-associated lung injury (EVALI) is a devastating condition that damages lung function and system due to its massive inflammation. It is mainly related to vaping activity. Most are known for their adverse effects and bad implications. However, public awareness is still poor, and most are unable to quit this trending addiction. Nevertheless, it is unimaginable how severe its toxicity could be to the growing child, short term, and long term especially if it is directly ingested by the child, accidentally. Case Description: We reported a case of a 2-year-old child presented with acute respiratory failure secondary to liquid nicotine inhalation at home. The child was first seen by the medical team at primary care, required urgent intubation and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) admission. It is complicated with several episodes of seizure requiring close monitoring. Learning Point/Conclusion: This case highlights that despite ignorance of adults on the danger of vaping, the damage can occur directly to the child at home if the parents are vapers. Even though precautions can be taken by adults, bad habits can indirectly and directly affect the child, and the risk is unavoidable. It is an urgent call for our government now to ban any products of nicotine strictly and enacting the law immediately.