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Updated: Oct 3, 2026

Microwave-assisted Intramolecular Dehydrogenative Diels-Alder Reactions for the Synthesis of Functionalized Naphthalenes/Solvatochromic Dyes
Published on: April 1, 2013
Haemolytic anaemia after oral self-giving of naphthalene-containing oil
A Trevisan1, M Rossi di Schio, M Pieno
1Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padova, Italy. andrea@trevisan.unipd.it
Abstract:
A clinical case of suicide attempt by means of oral self-giving of naphthalene-containing oil in an old man was reported. Clinical features showed haemolytic anaemia supported by a decrease of haemoglobin concentration and red blood cell count, an increase of bilirubin (prevalently indirect) and lactate dehydrogenase and very low levels of haptoglobin. Methaemoglobin (metHb) measured at admission to the Emergency Room and 19 days after poisoning was still above normal limits. No deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase was detected. The clinical manifestations ameliorated after treatment with concentrated red blood cells and ascorbic acid, with fast normalization of metHb. The clinical picture appeared almost normal 1 month after poisoning. The clinical diagnosis was 'haemolytic anaemia caused by naphthalene'. Absence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency probably reduced the severity of poisoning.
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