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International Journal of Emergency Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Case report

Accidental organophosphate insecticide intoxication in children: a reminder

Authors: Willemijn van Heel, Said Hachimi-Idrissi

Published in: International Journal of Emergency Medicine | Issue 1/2011

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Abstract

Misuse of organophosphate insecticides, even in case of domestic application, can be life threatening. We report the case of siblings admitted with respiratory distress, pinpoint pupils and slurred speech. The symptoms appear after spraying the skin by insecticides. Plasma pseudocholinesterase level appeared to be very low, consistent with acute intoxication with organophosphate insecticide.
Management of organophosphate poisoning consists of airway management, administration of oxygen and fluid, as well as atropine in increasing doses and pralidoxime. Decontamination of the patient's skin and the removal of the patient's clothes are mandatory in order to avoid recontamination of the patient as well as the surrounding healthcare personnel.
Plasma pseudocholinesterase analysis is a cheap and an easy indicator for organophosphate insecticides intoxications and could be used for diagnosis and treatment monitoring.
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Metadata
Title
Accidental organophosphate insecticide intoxication in children: a reminder
Authors
Willemijn van Heel
Said Hachimi-Idrissi
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Emergency Medicine / Issue 1/2011
Print ISSN: 1865-1372
Electronic ISSN: 1865-1380
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1865-1380-4-32

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