Clinical features and prognosis of paraquat poisoning: a review of 27 cases
Fock, K.M.
Singapore Medical Journal 28(1): 53-56
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0037-5675 PMID: 3603074 Document Number: 289794
27 patients were admitted into Toa Payoh Hospital after having ingested paraquat. 21 patients died, giving an overall mortality rate of 77%. Of the fatal cases 10 (47%) died within 24 hours from cardio-respiratory collapse. This preceded any other clinical signs of tissue toxicity such as the development of mouth ulcers, liver or renal damage. Survivors of paraquat poisoning showed a decrease in the diffusing capacity and a restrictive pattern on lung function tests. Urine paraquat concentration determination is a simple and reproducible test. When performed within 8 hours of paraquat ingestion (n = 12), no one with a urine concentration of 10 mg/100 survived (n = 7). Conversely, 3 out of 5 patients with a urine concentration .ltoreq. 10 mg/100 ml survived (P < 0.05 .chi.2 test with Yates correction). Paraquat ingestion is a serious and lethal form of poisoning. Determination of urinary paraquat concentration early in the course of paraquat poisoning may be helpful in predicting prognosis.