Benzine-sniffing neuropathy.
Eight children and adolescents with a predominantly motor neuropathy of which the most likely cause was n-hexane are described. n-Hexane is one of the impurities in highest concentration in benzine, a petroleum product freely available at most corner stores in South Africa. It is bought freely by a large number of Black children in Natal and sniffed to produce a state of euphoria. Benzine sniffing by children constitutes a major health hazard in Natal.
D000293:Adolescent; D000473:Alkanes / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006586:Hexanes / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000209:etiology
D000473:Alkanes; D006586:Hexanes; D010578:Petroleum; C004544:naphtha