Abstract

Introduction: Rodenticide poisoning is the second most common cause of poisoning in our area next to OPC poisoning. It may be due to easy availability in local shops and markets and low price of the poison. Rodenticide can cause increased morbidity and mortality when compared to other poisons. The management includes conservative measures with serial monitoring of liver and renal parameters.

Materials and Methods: It is a prospective study of rodenticide poisoning case admitted to our hospital between the study periods of 1, January 2017 to 31, May 2018. All patients aged above 13 years, of both sexes were included in the study. The demographic profile, clinical symptoms and signs, investigation details, complications and outcome were noted.

Results: A total of 255 cases presented with acute consumption of rodenticide during the study. The majority were within the age group of 20-30 year age group and mostly married (62.7%). Most patients had gastrointestinal manifestations such as acute hepatic failure followed by bleeding diathesis. Complications were seen in 39.2% of the study population and death occurred in 2.7% of the cases.

Conclusion: The most toxic rat killer poisons with high mortality are yellow phosphorus followed by zinc phosphide. No specific antidote has been approved for the management of this poisoning. Hence, early initiation of first aid and good supportive care plays a major role for a better outcome. Also, tattoos and self-inflicted wounds can be used to predict the presence of underlying psychiatric disturbance among these patients.

Keywords: Rodenticide poisoning, Outcome, Tattoo, Psychological correlation.