First do no harm: The dangers of mineral oil.

Chronic constipation is a very common problem in the paediatric population, and a particularly frequent issue in the management of neurologically impaired children. The use of mineral oil in the treatment of constipation has been well accepted because of its efficacy and infrequent side effects. The case of a three and a half-year-old girl with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, who was admitted to hospital for investigation of increasing tachypnea and respiratory distress over a two-month period, is presented. This case highlights lipoid pneumonia due to mineral oil aspiration, which is a recognized severe complication of this medication, and emphasizes the need for a heightened awareness among caregivers about the potential dangers of inappropriate mineral oil use.