Spectrum of patients intentionally poisoned with an emulsified concentrate pendimethalin herbicide.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Studies on the acute toxicity of pendimethalin herbicide in humans are limited. Therefore, this study investigated the clinical characteristics of acute intentional pendimethalin herbicide poisoning.

MATERIAL AND METHOD:

A retrospective observational case series was conducted involving 17 patients with a history of intentional pendimethalin herbicide ingestion. Data were collected on clinical manifestations, management and final outcome.

RESULT:

The mortality rate was 0%; however, four patients (23.5%) exhibited metabolic acidosis, hypotension or respiratory failure within the first 24 h after ingestion and required admission to the intensive care unit. The most common complication was respiratory failure, followed by hypotension. Complicated patients tended to show an altered mental state and X-ray abnormalities at presentation.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS:

Physicians should be aware that patients who have been poisoned with pendimethalin herbicide, and particularly patients with a depressed mental state and X-ray abnormalities at presentation, may exhibit metabolic acidosis, hypotension, respiratory failure or pancreatitis.

• Authors: Jeongmi Moon, Byeongjo Chun
• Journal: Emergency medicine journal : EMJ (Emerg Med J) Vol. 32 Issue 8 Pg. 632-6 (Aug 2015) ISSN: 1472-0213 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25398239 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Observational Study)
• Copyright: Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Chemical References

• Aniline Compounds
• Emulsions
• Herbicides
• pendimethalin

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aniline Compounds (poisoning)
• Emulsions (poisoning)
• Female
• Herbicides (poisoning)
• Humans
• Hypotension (chemically induced)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Poisoning (complications, mortality)
• Respiratory Insufficiency (chemically induced)
• Retrospective Studies
• Suicide, Attempted