Suicidal chloroquine poisoning: clinical course, autopsy findings, and chemical analysis
Muhm, M.; Stimpfl, T.; Malzer, R.; Mortinger, H.; Binder, R.; Vycudilik, W.; Berzlanovich, A.; Bauer, G.; Laggner, A.N.
Journal of Forensic Sciences 41(6): 1077-1079
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1198 PMID: 8914299 Document Number: 458669
The case is reported of a 14-year-old girl in Austria who had intentionally ingested 7.5 g of chloroquine base and experienced cardiac and respiratory arrest. Despite early mechanical ventilation, cardiac support and treatment with high doses of diazepam, the patient died. Laboratory investigation indicated disseminated intra-vascular coagulation confirmed by petechial haemorrhages in the leptomeninges at autopsy, a finding that has not previously been described. Postmortem tissue analysis demonstrated early drug distribution to the medulla oblongata and cerebellum.