Children don't always react to chemicals the way adults do. Different care options may be required.

Methylene chloride exposure leads to dose-related central nervous system suppression. Typical acute symptoms (within minutes to hours) include headache, drowsiness, dizziness, slurred speech, decreased alertness, slowed reaction time, irritability, impaired gait, and coma. Rapid loss of consciousness, coma, seizures and death have been reported.

Dichloromethane is metabolized in the liver and partially converted to carbon monoxide, which produces elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels and reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Carboxyhemoglobin levels may continue to rise for hours after exposure stops. Fetuses are particularly vulnerable to carbon monoxide poisoning.

Due to their relatively high metabolic rate, children may be more susceptible to poisons that interfere with basic metabolism.

Dichloromethane (dichloromethane sds) may cause electrocardiographic changes similar to carbon monoxide poisoning. Elevated levels of carboxyhemoglobin and carboxymyoglobin may lead to insufficient oxygen supply to the heart in people with pre-existing coronary artery disease. One patient has been reported to have developed angina pectoris, myocardial infarction and cardiac arrest due to inhalation of methylene chloride, but no adverse cardiovascular effects from methylene chloride in occupationally exposed workers have been reported.

Victims of acute high levels of inhalation exposure may suffer airway irritation, lung inflammation, and fluid buildup in the lungs.

Children may be more vulnerable because of the relative increase in minute ventilation per kilogram and the failure to evacuate promptly when exposed to air.

Hydrocarbon pneumonia can be a problem in children.

Nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding have been reported following ingestion.

Acute exposure to methylene chloride at high concentrations may lead to liver dysfunction.

Dichloromethane can cause skin irritation and blistering. Prolonged skin contact can cause second - and third-degree chemical burns.

Due to their relatively large surface area: weight ratio, children are more susceptible to toxins absorbed through the skin.