Accidental ingestion of cleaning solutions is unusual because many cleaning solutions contain additives to make the material bitter or unpleasant for children to taste. Ingestion therefore tends to occur if:
(1) a person is attempting suicide
(2) a person is intoxicated
Clinical findings usually are the manifestations of hypocalcemia::
(1) tetany
(2) muscle cramps and weakness
(3) fatigue
(4) irritability, depression, anxiety, or psychosis
(5) abdominal pain
(6) urinary frequency
(7) cardiac arrhythmias with QT and ST prolongation
(8) extrapyramidal movement disorder
(9) seizures
(10) bronchospasm or laryngospasm
(11) heart failure
(12) hypotension
Laboratory findings:
(1) depressed serum calcium
(2) depressed serum magnesium
(3) elevated serum phosphate
(4) elevated serum sodium if sodium phosphate is used
A patient is at risk for developing metastatic calcifications, especially if infusions of calcium are given to someone with severe hyperphosphatemia.
Oral aluminum hydroxide can bind phosphate in the GI tract and will reduce further absorption.
