[The ecological accident on the Siret River. A possible cyanide intoxication of children].
OBJECTIVE
Of our study is to assess the gravity of cyanide intoxication of children, in the ecological accident in January 2001.


METHODS
We included in our study 127 children aged between 2 months and 17 years. They were hospitalized in January and February 2001, in the "Sf. Maria" Children's Hospital. Case analysis was based on data of the emergency unit and units where the children were sent after primary care. We evaluated the patients from clinical and paraclinical point of view and we took samples of biological products in order to confirm the diagnosis.


RESULTS
Age distribution was 0-1 year (4%), 1-3 years (7.8%), 3-6 years (9.4%), 6-12 years (33.8%), and 12-18 years (42.5%). The lapse of time between the ingestion of contaminated fish and symptomatology was variable. Measures were taken: removal from toxic contact, hospitalization, antidote administration, and treatment of complications.


CONCLUSIONS
Although literature data shows that this intoxication appears after the age of three, we found that mother ingestion of contaminated fish, determined intoxication in nursings. Symptoms appeared at 3-12 hours after fish ingestion from the contaminated river and it was suggestive for the diagnosis. First aid measurements were necessary in specialized emergency unit and antidote administration sometimes only in clinical suspicion of intoxication. Correlation between clinical findings and toxic concentrations in urine samples confirm the diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study tries to highlight those ecological accidents with cyanides present important consequences on people and animal's health. The therapeutic intervention must be fast in order to stop blood distribution of the toxic.
Iordache
C
C
Facultatea de Medicină Clinica I Pediatrie, Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie Gr.T. Popa Iaşi.
Azoicăi
Doina
D
Cristea
Anca
A
Sărmăşan
Veronica
V
Iordache
A
A
Pintilie
Wanda
W
Olaru
Carmen
C
Cernahoschi
L
L
Roşu
Tamara
T
Vaida
Carmen
C
Fărmeşanu
Mihaela
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000931:Antidotes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003486:Cyanides / Q000097:blood / Q000506:poisoning*; D004190:Disasters; D004463:Ecology; D005399:Fishes; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D012383:Romania; D013885:Thiosulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000931:Antidotes; D003486:Cyanides; D013885:Thiosulfates; C017717:sodium thiosulfate