Zinc phosphide intoxication symptoms: analysis of 20 cases.
Twenty cases of zinc phosphide (Zn3P2) ingestion (self-poisoning) were seen during the last 5 years (January 1992-December 1996). Poisoning was rare before 1986. Profuse vomiting (100%), pain in abdomen (100%), palpitation and sweating (80%), dyspnea and tachypnea (75%), metabolic acidosis (60%), shock (40%), and hypotension (40%) were the most common presenting features. Five patients (25%) died. The toxic effects were due to liberation of toxic phosphine (PH3) gas which was detected by qualitative silver nitrate paper test in majority of cases.
Chugh
S N
SN
Department of Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak (Haryana), India.
Aggarwal
H K
HK
Mahajan
S K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D010720:Phosphines / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012378:Rodenticides / Q000506:poisoning*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000506:poisoning*
D010720:Phosphines; D012378:Rodenticides; D017967:Zinc Compounds; C009701:zinc phosphide