The Digestive Tract Injuries Caused by Acute Pesticide Poisoning From 2014 to 2024: A Mini Literature Review

Acute pesticide poisoning is a significant public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where pesticides are commonly used in agriculture. While the neurological and cardiovascular effects of pesticide poisoning have been extensively studied, gastrointestinal injuries remain underexplored despite their severe complications, including bleeding, perforation, and obstruction. This mini-review examines the prevalence, mechanisms, and treatment of gastrointestinal injuries caused by acute pesticide poisoning from 2014 to 2024. Based on an analysis of 11 studies encompassing 38 cases across China, India, and Japan, we identified organophosphate compounds as the most common culprits of gastrointestinal damage. Mechanisms of injury involve multifactorial mechanisms, including the direct toxicity of pesticides, adverse therapeutic interventions such as atropine and gastric lavage, and systemic effects like endothelial dysfunction and hypoxia. Preventive strategies are discussed, including the use of proton pump inhibitors, careful atropine dosing, and balloon jejunal catheter placement to minimize complications. This review underscores the urgent need for further research to develop targeted preventive and therapeutic measures for gastrointestinal injuries caused by pesticide poisoning, aiming to improve patient survival and quality of life.