Lindane poisonings

Area of Science:

• Toxicology
• Dermatology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Lindane (1% lotion/shampoo) is a common treatment for scabies and pediculosis.
• Excessive exposure to lindane can lead to significant toxicologic problems.
• Understanding lindane toxicity is crucial for safe therapeutic application.

Observation:

• A 16-year-old boy ingested a large amount of lindane shampoo and recovered.
• A 2-month-old infant died after excessive application of lindane lotion.
• Lindane levels were significantly elevated in the deceased infant's brain compared to blood.

Findings:

• The 16-year-old patient had initial serum lindane levels of 206 ppb, decreasing to 1.0 ppb over 25 days.
• Lindane was detected at 110 ppb in the brain of the deceased infant.
• Brain lindane concentrations were approximately three times higher than blood levels in the infant.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for severe neurotoxicity and fatal outcomes with excessive lindane exposure, especially in infants.
• Interpreting central nervous system (CNS) events following excessive lindane exposure requires careful consideration of toxicokinetic data.
• The findings underscore the importance of adhering to recommended dosages and application guidelines for lindane to prevent adverse events.