Outcome of Paraquat Self-poisoning a Case series
M Indira,
Rakesh T P,
Hithesh Shankar T S,
Suchithra E T,
Andrews M A
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6-1, November 2015
Pages:
1-4
Received:
29 March 2015
Accepted:
9 April 2015
Published:
23 October 2015
This article belongs to the Special Issue
Toxicology
Abstract: Introduction –Paraquat is available as 20% solution for agricultural purposes and deliberate ingestion can be lethal despite newer modalities of management.Methods - We present a case series from a tertiary care hospital, consisting of six patients admitted from January 2012 to December 2013 with history of paraquat ingestion. All of them weretreated with supportive and specific care in the form of charcoal hemoperfusion (HP) and immunosuppression with cyclophosphamide and steroids and outcome was evaluated.Results - All patients developed respiratory, renal and hepatic dysfunction. Three patients died within one week of paraquat ingestion, two patients at the end of second week and one patient lost follow-up after discharge. Autopsy showed ARDS in three of them.Conclusion -Paraquat is highly toxic. Ingestion of concentrated form most likely results in non responsiveness to available modalities of treatment.
Abstract: Introduction –Paraquat is available as 20% solution for agricultural purposes and deliberate ingestion can be lethal despite newer modalities of management.Methods - We present a case series from a tertiary care hospital, consisting of six patients admitted from January 2012 to December 2013 with history of paraquat ingestion. All of them weretreat...
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Clinical Profile and Outcome of Deliberate Self Poisoning Cases in Medical Wards
Indira Madhavan,
Santhosh L. K.,
Vinu Thomas
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6-1, November 2015
Pages:
5-9
Received:
1 May 2015
Accepted:
7 October 2015
Published:
23 October 2015
This article belongs to the Special Issue
Toxicology
Abstract: Non-fatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicides are serious global health problems in many low- and middle-income countries including India. We conducted a cross sectional observational study in patients admitted with deliberate self harm in a tertiary care centre to identify the common agents used for poisoning in our area, to know the common clinical features and the outcome of such cases. Of the 200 patients observed, there were 114(57%) males and 86(43%) females. In the study group, 53 (13males, 40females) patients were adolescents, 85 (60 males, 25 females) were young, 29(16males, 13 females) were middle aged and 33 (25males, 8females) were elderly. The pesticide group which included organophosphates, organochlorines, carbamates and pyrethroids constituted commonest substance used as poisoning agent (39%,n= 78) followed by plant poisons (28%,n=55 ) which included yellow oleander, oduku leaves and abrus precatorius. Rodenticides (10%, n=20), benzodiazapines (6%, n=11), kerosene (5%, n==9) and paracetamol (3%, n==6) were the other common exposure. Various drug combinations, copper sulphate, sulphuric acid, formic acid, fabric whitner, weedicides and homeopathic medications constitutes 11% (n==21) of cases. Mortality of study population was 6% (n==12, 11 men and 1 woman). Four patients expired after organophosphorus poisoning, four with carbamate poisoning, two with oduku, one each with rodenticide and yellow oleander poisoning. Pesticides and plant poisons are the common agents used for deliberate self harm in our study. Adoloscent and young persons are commonly involved in suicide attempts. Pesticides cause majority of deaths while plant and rodenticide poisonings can also be fatal.
Abstract: Non-fatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) and suicides are serious global health problems in many low- and middle-income countries including India. We conducted a cross sectional observational study in patients admitted with deliberate self harm in a tertiary care centre to identify the common agents used for poisoning in our area, to know the common cl...
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Age- and Sex- Related Changes in Pineal Gland: A Morphological and Histological Study
K G Arunkumar,
A Amar Jayanthi,
C K Indira,
V K Girijamony
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6-1, November 2015
Pages:
10-13
Received:
22 May 2015
Accepted:
22 May 2015
Published:
23 October 2015
This article belongs to the Special Issue
Toxicology
Abstract: Introduction: Pineal gland is believed to be an endocrine gland, melatonin being the principal hormone secreted by it. Updating any knowledge about the anatomy of pineal gland will expand our understanding of pineal physiology and pathophysiology and of the possible medical use of pineal compounds. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional observatory study in pineal gland specimens collected from human subjects during autopsy after obtaining written informed consent from relatives. Subjects died of malignancy or head injury were excluded from the study. Morphological and histological analysis was done after preservation. Results: There were 90 adult specimens and 12 fetal specimens. Mean (SD) age, length of specimen, width, thickness (centimeters) and weight (grams) of specimen were 41.37 23.3, 0.79 0.17, 0.59 0.13, 0.35 0.10 and 0.08 0.04 respectively. The average number of pinealocytes and glial cells per field were 184.6 ± 29.41 and 7.20 ± 2.65 respectively. Incomplete lobules were seen in 52 adult specimens and complete in 38. Calcification was observed in 69 specimens. Changes of pattern of lobule from incomplete to complete and increase in calcification were found to be significantly correlated with advancing age. Conclusion: Increasing calcification and change in lobular pattern are observed as advancing age related changes in present study. Estimation of melatonin and data regarding factors affecting these changes may be done further to identify its pathophysiological significance.
Abstract: Introduction: Pineal gland is believed to be an endocrine gland, melatonin being the principal hormone secreted by it. Updating any knowledge about the anatomy of pineal gland will expand our understanding of pineal physiology and pathophysiology and of the possible medical use of pineal compounds. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectio...
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Clinical and Laboratory Profile of Patients Admitted with Cleistanthus Collinus Poisoning in a Tertiary Care Hospital
Ramya Das N. K.,
Mary Grace N. C.,
Indira M.,
Jayachandran N. V.
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 6-1, November 2015
Pages:
14-17
Received:
19 September 2015
Accepted:
22 September 2015
Published:
23 October 2015
This article belongs to the Special Issue
Toxicology
Abstract: Cleistanthus collinus (Oduku) is a common suicidal poison used in rural southern India. There is paucity of information on human studies about this poisoning at global level. We conducted a cross-sectional observatory study to analyse clinical and laboratory profile of patients admitted with Oduku poisoning in Department of General Medicine, Government medical college, Thrissur over a period of one year from 1st January 2013 to 31st December 2013.Out of the 143 cases of plant poisoning, study population consisted of76 (53%)patients who consumed Oduku. Mean age of the population was 33.5 years (+/-SD 16.10). 43 patients (57.33%) were asymptomatic; among those with symptoms, 41 patients (54.67%). had nausea, 33 patients (44.00%) had vomiting, 7 patients (9.33%) had abdominal pain, 1 patient (1.33%) had palpitation and altered sensorium. Hypokalemia was found in 15 patients (19.74%) on admission, 7 patients (9.33%) after 24 hours and 8 patients (10.67%) after 48 hours. ECG changes observed were ST depression (23.68%), T inversion (23.68%) and u waves (17.11%). Mortality rate of Oduku poisoning found in this study was 2.63% (n=2) and expired patients showed persistent hypokalemia despite treatment. Oduku plant constitutes a major agent of DSH among the plant poisons in South India. Gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and neurological symptoms are common with oduku poisoning. Hypokalemia and ECG changes are seen, but mortality rate is low.
Abstract: Cleistanthus collinus (Oduku) is a common suicidal poison used in rural southern India. There is paucity of information on human studies about this poisoning at global level. We conducted a cross-sectional observatory study to analyse clinical and laboratory profile of patients admitted with Oduku poisoning in Department of General Medicine, Govern...
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