Baby Powder—A Hazard!

Abstract

Baby powder is widely used in the home for the routine care of infants' skin. The object of this report is to point out the frequency of baby powder aspiration and the potential hazard of careless use. A recent report reviewed more than 25 cases of talcum powder aspiration with a mortality of 20%.1 These cases represent only the most severe episodes. The true incidence of baby powder inhalation is grossly underestimated. Moss2 states that approximately 50 cases a year are reported to the New York City Poison Control Center alone.2 Dusting powders used in the past were predominantly composed of zinc stearate, a talc substitute.