A study on clinical profile of paraquat poisoning in a tertiary care hospital

Authors

  • Jagadeesan M. Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Nithyananthan P. Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Banupriya M. Department of Radiation Oncology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Mahendrakumar K. Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Prasanna Karthik S. Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
  • Kannan R. Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20173237

Keywords:

Herbicide poisoning, Metabolic acidosis, Paraquat

Abstract

Background: Paraquat poisoning is a weedicide used rarely for suicide. It is now being increasingly as this type of suicidal poisoning is almost always fatal as there is no specific antidote for paraquat poison. ARDS, acute kidney injury with metabolic acidosis or multi-organ failure are the frequent causes of mortality.

Methods: The study aimed to study the morbidity and mortality rates of Paraquat poisoning in tertiary care teaching hospital. Patients admitted with Paraquat poisoning were included, and the data were collected and analysed.

Results: The total number of cases admitted with paraquat poisoning in intensive care unit in three years duration were 10. All the cases were suicidal in nature. 80% of the cases had acute kidney injury with severe metabolic acidosis and 20% had mediastinitis. 70% of cases died within 48 hours of ingestion. The overall mortality rate was 100% in spite of active management.

Conclusions: Of all registered herbicides, Paraquat is the most serious and life threatening. Inspite of early haemodialysis, steroids and cyclophosphamide therapy, it was ineffective in reducing the mortality rates. Newer treatment like early hemoperfusion may help to reduce the mortality in future.

 

Author Biographies

Jagadeesan M., Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

Nithyananthan P., Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

Banupriya M., Department of Radiation Oncology, SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, SRM University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY

Mahendrakumar K., Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

Prasanna Karthik S., Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

Kannan R., Department of General Medicine, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Saveetha University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

PROFESSOR

DEPARTMENT OF GENERAL MEDICINE

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Published

2017-07-20

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Original Research Articles