Finding into death of Baby J

1y · Unknown·Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy post cardiac arrest due to nicotine toxicity

Baby J, an 18-month-old child, ingested liquid nicotine that had been left unattended on a dining table. The concentrated nicotine product was illegal in Australia, imported from the USA for use in e-cigarettes. Within minutes of ingestion, Baby J suffered cardiac arrest and was resuscitated by paramedics after approximately 15 minutes. He was admitted to intensive care, intubated, but developed irreversible hypoxic ischaemic brain injury. Life support was withdrawn on 10 June 2018. The coroner found this a tragic accident resulting from a momentary lapse in vigilance rather than supervisory neglect. Clinical lesson: liquid nicotine is extremely toxic in small quantities; awareness of hazardous household substances is essential, particularly in homes with young children.