An acute zinc chloride poisoning due to ingestion is a rare event. Symptoms include: corrosive pharyngeal lesions, vomiting and lethargy. Laboratory findings may include hyperglycaemia, hyperamylasaemia, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency and renal insufficiency. This case report describes an accidental zinc chloride poisoning in a child, with lethargy as the most pronounced clinical sign. Clinical evaluation and chelator therapy are discussed.