One poison center's experience with "snake" firework ingestions

"Snake" fireworks are a type of pyrotechnic device that, when ignited, burn and transform into a friable, snake-like structure. The inclusion of barium salts produces a green flame. Ingestion of these fireworks poses a risk of barium toxicity, which may result in hypokalemia, weakness, dysrhythmias, and respiratory distress.

We evaluated firework-related cases at a single poison center between 2009 and 2023 and extracted those pertaining to snake fireworks. Cases were eligible for analysis if oral exposure was suspected or confirmed. Cases were excluded if there was no oral exposure, the missing firework was located after the initial call, or there was no longitudinal follow up after a suspected or witnessed exposure (that is, premature case closure). Pertinent details related to the exposure or those associated with barium toxicity were extracted and evaluated in a descriptive fashion.

Sixty-four cases met inclusion criteria. No deaths, dysrhythmias, weakness, or respiratory compromise were reported. All six children (9.3%) who were symptomatic had gastrointestinal complaints at initial contact with our poison center. Only two symptomatic patients had hypokalemia with the minimum serum potassium concentrations falling to 3.4 mmol/L and 2.1 mmol/L. Four additional patients developed mild hypokalemia (lowest 3.0 mmol/L) but no symptoms. The maximal latency after exposure until nadir potassium concentration was 8 h.

Oral exposures to snake fireworks occasionally resulted in mild symptomatic toxicity. The presence of symptoms did not appear to predict whether hypokalemia would develop. In the instances in which hypokalemia was present, or there was a notable downtrend in the serum potassium concentration, the repletion of potassium usually did not correlate with the extent of rebound.

In our case series, most children who had oral exposure to snake fireworks in an exploratory setting did not develop symptoms. Although severe toxicity reassuringly did not occur in our review, evaluation and monitoring are nevertheless prudent for symptomatic children.