Acute pulmonary edema in an adolescent female with zinc phosphide poisoning: A case report

Abstract

Zinc phosphide is a commonly used rodenticide in India. Intoxication is associated with multiorgan failure and high mortality. We present a case of 17-year-old adolescent female with suicidal zinc phosphide poisoning, complicated to acute pulmonary edema and refractory shock. The patient responded well to supportive management and intravenous magnesium sulfate. As there is no specific antidote for zinc phosphide, the parenteral magnesium sulfate can be used as adjunct therapy.

Keywords

• intoxication
• rat poison
• rodenticide