title: Acute poisoning in a child following topical treatment of head lice (pediculosis capitis) with an organophosphate pesticide.
abstract: This is a case report of acute organophosphate poisoning in a child treated with topical application of Diazinon-60 (WHO Class II toxicity) for head lice (pediculosis capitis). The patient presented with neurological symptoms and signs. After emergency respiratory and circulatory resuscitation the patient underwent dermal decontamination and was treated with atropine, high flow oxygen and pralidoxime. Scanning electron micrographs of scalp hair specimens revealed both viable and empty head lice nits (lice eggs that attach to the hair shaft). The patient was hospitalized for seven days and discharged after full recovery. The case highlights the importance of raising the awareness of health workers and the community about the danger of misusing pesticides for the treatment of head lice.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurology, College of Medicine and King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Muddathir H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Hamad
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Pathology, College of Medicine and King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed Awad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Adeel
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, College of Medicine and King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ali Abdu N
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alhaboob
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, College of Medicine and King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Ahmed M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Ashri
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurology, College of Medicine and King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Mustafa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Salih
keywords: Children; Diazinon; Head lice; Head lice nits; Organophosphate poisoning; Pediculosis; Scanning electron microscopy