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[Parathion poisoning]
Insights
Infant organophosphate (Parathion) poisoning is a serious risk, often caused by accidental exposure. Prompt atropine sulfate treatment led to a highly satisfactory recovery in most cases, highlighting the importance of rapid medical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
- Clinical Medicine
Context:
- Presents clinical and therapeutic experience with 48 infant cases of organophosphate (Parathion) intoxication.
- Cases admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of "Emilio Civit Children Hospital", Mendoza, Argentina over seven years.
- Investigated routes of exposure, clinical signs, and diagnostic laboratory methods.
Purpose:
- To document the clinical course and treatment outcomes of infant Parathion poisoning.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of atropine sulfate in managing these intoxications.
- To highlight the role of accidental exposure and adult carelessness in pediatric poisoning.
Summary:
- 48 infants (age 1-10 years) presented with Parathion poisoning, predominantly via accidental ingestion (90%).
- Characteristic signs included miosis and bronchorrhea within 10-30 minutes; 30 cases were severe.
- Laboratory diagnosis was successful in only 50% of cases. All received atropine sulfate (2.5-20 mg) with a satisfactory outcome; 2 deaths and 2 seizures occurred.
- Adult negligence and contaminated food were identified as common causes.
Impact:
- Demonstrates the effectiveness of atropine sulfate in treating infant organophosphate poisoning.
- Underscores the need for public awareness regarding safe storage and handling of pesticides.
- Provides valuable data for pediatric critical care management of toxic ingestions.
Abstract:
This study shows our clinical and therapeutical experience in 48 cases of infant COFA intoxication admitted in the Intensive Care Unit of "Emilio Civit Children Hospital", Mendoza, Argentina in a periode of seven years. They were investigated to determine the presence of Parathion in blood and gastric washing with the sodium hydroxide qualitative method, and also cholinesterase was detected in blood with a colorimetric method (the monotest cholinesterase). Age range from one to ten years with predominance from 3 to 4 years; 27 were males and 21 females. In almost all the cases (90%) the toxic ingressed through several ways, and from 10 to 30 minutes appeared the characteristic signs: miosis and bronchorrhea. Clinically in 30 cases the intoxication was considered dangerous and mild in the others. The data obtained by laboratory techniques were diagnostic only in half of the cases. Atropine's sulphate was done to all cases until their recuperation, in doses from 2.5 mg to 20 mg. The evolution was highly satisfactory, only two died and two remained with seizures. Always had thanklessness and carelessness with the child from living together adults, who playing handle and waste the toxic. In two occasions the intoxication was familiar by contaminated food.