Paraquat Poisoning: A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Public Health
• Clinical Case Reports

Background:

• Paraquat (PQ) poisoning poses a significant public health threat in Nepal, characterized by high mortality and a lack of specific antidotes.
• PQ, a widely used herbicide, exhibits extreme toxicity upon ingestion, leading to severe systemic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present two distinct incidents of paraquat poisoning managed at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital.
• To underscore the severe pulmonary and renal toxicity of PQ and the critical need for early intervention and supportive care.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing two separate paraquat ingestion incidents involving multiple individuals.
• Management included prompt gastric decontamination, intensive supportive care, and psychiatric evaluation.
• Outcomes were monitored, focusing on respiratory, renal, and overall systemic function.

Main Results:

• One case resulted in multi-organ failure and death within 4 days despite prompt intervention.
• Another case involved a mother and her two children; the mother and elder son recovered, but the infant succumbed to poisoning.
• The surviving patients demonstrated improved pulmonary and renal function after intensive treatment.

Conclusions:

• Paraquat poisoning causes severe systemic toxicity, particularly affecting the lungs and kidneys, with no specific antidote.
• Early diagnosis, rapid decontamination, and comprehensive supportive care are vital for improving survival rates.
• Enhanced preventive measures, regulatory controls, and national poisoning surveillance are crucial to reduce paraquat-related mortality in Nepal.