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A Case of a Lethal Diquat Ingestion in a Toddler

Manette Ness-Cochinwala1, Juan Sebastian Proaño1, Jeffery N Bernstein2

  • 1Division of Critical Care Medicine, Nicklaus Children's Hospital, Miami, Florida; Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|November 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Diquat herbicide poisoning can cause severe multisystem organ failure, even in children. Early gastric decontamination is crucial for emergency physicians managing diquat toxicity cases.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Environmental Health

Background:

  • Diquat is a potent herbicide known for rapid and severe systemic toxicity.
  • It can lead to multisystem organ failure affecting the gastrointestinal, renal, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems.
  • Reported case fatality rates for diquat poisoning can be as high as 43%.

Observation:

  • A pediatric case of diquat ingestion resulting in multisystem organ failure and death is presented.
  • This case highlights the extreme toxicity of diquat, particularly in the pediatric population.
  • Even small quantities of diquat can be lethal for children.

Findings:

  • Diquat poisoning can rapidly progress to life-threatening conditions.
  • The primary mechanisms of toxicity involve multiple organ systems.
  • Pediatric literature on diquat poisoning remains limited, underscoring the importance of case reports.

Implications:

  • Emergency physicians must be aware of diquat's significant morbidity and mortality potential.
  • Prompt gastric decontamination is the only currently proven therapeutic strategy for diquat poisoning.
  • This case emphasizes the critical need for vigilance and rapid intervention in suspected pediatric diquat exposures.
Abstract

Keywords:
diquatherbicidesingestionspediatricstoxicology

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