After his death, gross examination of the child's unembalmed body revealed a markedly distended abdomen. The abdominal circumference was 53 centimeters, in contrast to a head circumference of 49 centimeters and a chest circumference of 48 centimeters. On opening the body, the thoracic fat pad measured 0.6 centimeters in thickness and the abdominal fat pad measured 0.8 centimeters. Examination of the left chest cavity revealed multiple fibrinous adhesions and adherent clots, along with approximately 10 cc of free blood within the left pleural space. About 50 cc of dark red blood was found in the abdominal cavity. The child's lungs were bilaterally heavy and firm. Examination of the gastrointestinal tract showed scattered subserosal hemorrhage involving both small and large intestines and the omentum. Fresh hemorrhage was noted in peripancreatic fat. The authors conclude that the ingestion of various hydrocarbons represents a common pediatric emergency problem that must be pathologically and carefully evaluated. 20 references and 2 figures