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Children's plasma cholinesterase activity and fatal methomyl poisoning
W Ruangyuttikarn1, T Phakdeewut, W Sainumtan
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Thailand.
Insights
Methomyl insecticide poisoning in children can be lethal. Plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity below 10% of normal levels in children indicates severe poisoning, potentially fatal from anti-ChE insecticides.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Investigated plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in Thai children.
- Established baseline ChE levels in a healthy pediatric cohort.
Observation:
- Measured ChE activity in 105 healthy Thai children aged 5-6 years.
- Analyzed ChE levels in relation to gender and parental occupation.
- Observed lower mean ChE in females and children of farmers.
Findings:
- Determined average ChE activity in healthy Thai children (7,417 +/- 1,620 U/L).
- Identified significantly lower ChE activity in child homicide victims exposed to methomyl insecticide (6-9% of average).
Implications:
- Children's plasma ChE activity below 10% of normal is a critical indicator of lethal anti-cholinesterase insecticide poisoning.
- Highlights the diagnostic value of ChE activity in suspected pediatric poisoning cases.
Abstract:
There is a case of a couple who intentionally killed their children with methomyl insecticide. This was presented as our initial investigation of plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in Thai children. A hundred and five healthy Thai children 5-6 years of age, participated in the project. Their plasma was drawn to measure ChE activity. Mean +/- standard deviation of the children ChE was 7,417 +/- 1,620 U/L. The enzyme activity of the children was not significantly different between gender and parents' occupations. However, the mean of female ChE activity appeared to be lower than male ChE. Children whose parents were farmers appeared to have lower ChE activity than those whose parents were employees, merchants, government officers, unemployed parents, or private business owners. Two victims of child homicide were presented with ChE activity approximately 6 and 9 per cent of the average, considering healthy children. It was concluded that children's plasma ChE activity lower than 10 per cent of normal, could be a lethal indicator of anti-ChE insecticide poisoning.