Two Toddlers Hospitalized After Ingesting Toxic Liquid from Keychain Toys in Jerusalem

Within less than 12 hours, two toddlers were admitted to the pediatric emergency department at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem after allegedly swallowing liquid that leaked from keychain toys. One infant, 11 months old, arrived in a drowsy state, while the other, aged one and a half, was hospitalized after developing chemical pneumonia.

In both cases, the keychain toys reportedly cracked when the children put them in their mouths, causing the toxic liquid inside to leak and be ingested. The mother of the younger infant described how her son became pale, sweaty, and lethargic shortly after exposure, with the product emitting a strong chemical odor. The child was hospitalized for observation and has since shown signs of improvement but remains under medical supervision.

The second toddler’s mother recounted that her son began coughing and became drowsy after swallowing the liquid. She brought the damaged keychain to the hospital, where doctors immediately recognized the cause. The toy was reportedly purchased at a discount store and shared at her daughter’s school. Despite treatment, the child remained weak and somewhat lethargic.

Dr. Mati Ehrlichman, a senior pediatric emergency physician at Shaare Zedek, explained that the chemical pneumonia resulted from the toxic substance entering the lungs. Treatment focuses on monitoring respiratory status and providing oxygen if needed, as antibiotics are ineffective against chemical inflammation. He emphasized that the exact chemical composition of these keychains is unknown and warned parents to avoid such products and prevent young children from playing with or mouthing them.

These incidents add to recent cases involving injuries from seemingly harmless toys like "squishies," raising concerns about product safety. Authorities may now consider reviewing regulations and safety standards for these types of items to prevent further harm to children.