In Vietnam, young people hospitalized with kidney failure, memory loss linked to vaping

One of the most alarming cases involved 19-year-old H.N.H. from Ninh Binh Province.

He was admitted in critical condition, requiring mechanical ventilation after collapsing and convulsing only minutes after trying a friend’s vape.

Although doctors were able to disconnect him from the ventilator after more than a day, his kidneys began to fail rapidly.

According to Dr. Nguyen Trung Nguyen, director of the Vietnam Poison Control Center at Bach Mai Hospital, the teenager said he had taken just a few puffs when he suddenly lost consciousness.

This vaping episode triggered intense stimulation in the brain, causing severe convulsion, the doctor noted.

Although the patient had a history of traumatic brain injury from a past traffic accident, he had never experienced convulsion before.

After three days of treatment, the young man regained consciousness and could communicate, but his memory had deteriorated sharply.

He also exhibited extreme anxiety and stress.

As he did not bring the vape device with him, doctors could not identify the toxic agent, leaving ongoing concerns about long-term kidney damage.

Similarly, a 38-year-old woman from Bac Ninh Province, H.M.T., collapsed immediately after taking a puff from a vape she found on a table at an eatery.

Though she awoke within a couple of hours, she suffered severe headaches, dizziness and chest pain.

Tests at Bach Mai Hospital revealed acute metabolic acidosis, a condition often associated with poisoning from synthetic narcotics or strong stimulants.

MRI scans later showed significant brain damage with the potential for permanent impairment.

She experienced profound memory loss, struggled to recognize familiar people and found it difficult to process new information.

Notably, her rapid drug test returned negative results.

“That outcome is not unusual,” Dr. Nguyen explained.

“Many vape liquids contain new-generation synthetic cannabinoids or stimulant compounds like amphetamines and cathinones that are not detectable with standard screening tests.”

No antidote and risk of permanent harm

There is currently no specific antidote for the synthetic chemicals found in e-cigarettes, said the doctor.

Treatment relies solely on respiratory and circulatory support, non-specific detoxification, correcting metabolic disturbances and monitoring neurological damage.

“Brain injury and cognitive decline can persist for a long time, even permanently,” Dr. Nguyen warned.

The center has seen a rising number of vape-related poisonings.

While many patients appear stable when discharged, numerous cases later show lingering memory problems, difficulty concentrating and behavioral disorders.

The doctor noted that e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products have become vehicles for new synthetic drugs that are highly toxic, addictive and constantly evolving to avoid detection.

“Vietnam should ban e-cigarettes and heated tobacco as soon as possible,” Dr. Nguyen emphasized.

“If we delay, these products will spread rapidly among young people, bringing profound consequences for community health.”

Most vapes are currently sold online or in small convenience shops.

“If the nation doesn't act now, these loopholes will render all preventive efforts meaningless,” he warned.