Propylene glycol toxicity in an adolescent secondary to chronic cornstarch ingestion.

Propylene glycol (PG) is a diol (a double alcohol) that is commonly used as a food additive to preserve shelf life and enhance flavors, texture, and appearance. Although PG makes up only a small percentage of cornstarch, ingestion of large doses can cause lactic acidosis leading to hyperosmolarity, high anion gap metabolic acidosis (HAGMA), and a sepsis-like syndrome. A 17-year-old female presented to our emergency department (ED) with chronic chest pain, dyspnea, nausea, and vomiting.