J Korean Soc Emerg Med.
1997 Mar;8(1):93-97.
A CLINICAL DESCRIPTION OF 17 SURVIVORS AFTER PARAQUAT POISONING
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Emergency Medicine, Ulsan University Medical College, Korea.
- 2Department of General Internal Medicine, Ulsan University Medical College, Korea.
Abstract
-
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical and laboratory findings of 17 patients who survived after paraquat poisoning
DESIGN: Retrospective chart review Setting : Two University Hospital EDs
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of 17 patients, who survived after paraquat poisoning at Asan Medical Center and Ajou University Hospital from October 1994 to September 1995.
RESULTS
There were 11 males and 6 females aged 5-60 years(mean, 30.6). On the amount of paraquat ingestion, the patients who swallowed the diluted chemical were 5, ingested but not swallowed the chemical were 3, swallowed one mouthful of the chemical were 7, swallowed two mouthful of the chemical was 1, and who swallowed four mouthful of the chemical was 1. The causes of poisoning were accidental ingestion in 6 patients and suicidal attempt in 11 patients. Mean initial WBC count was 11088(+/-4485)/microliter. Elevated serum creatinine levels were shown in 4 cases and mean peak serum level was 2.37(+/-.22)mg/dL. Elevated serum SGOT levels were shown in 8 cases, and mean peak serum level was 80.5(+/-7.5)IU/L. Elevated serum SGPT levels were shown in 8cases, and mean peak serum level was 151.1(+/-09.8)IU/L. 10 patients were poisoned in drunken state. There was no patient showing abnormal finding in the chest roentgenogram.
CONCLUSION
Survivors of paraquat poisoning tend to be recovered from mild renal and hepatic dysfunction.
