Table 2 Key observations recorded in the paediatric pesticide-related fatalities (N = 54)
Observations | No. of cases n (% of total) |
|---|---|
Incident or scene history | |
History of recently eating/drinking | 15 (27.8) |
Pesticide found near deceased | 4 (7.4) |
Patient ingested milk to ‘treat’ poisoninga | 4 (7.4) |
Exposure/poisoning | |
Suspected poison ingestionb | 46 (85.2) |
Clinician suspected pesticide toxicity | 25 (46.3) |
Hospital treatment | |
Medical intervention | 38 (70.4) |
Atropine administered | 27 (50.0) |
Recorded signs or symptoms | |
Unresponsive | 41 (75.9) |
Pin-point pupils | 27 (50.0) |
Shortness of breath/gasping | 23 (42.6) |
Salivating/secretions | 21 (38.9) |
Fasciculations/seizures | 19 (35.2) |
Vomiting | 16 (29.6) |
Foam around mouth | 15 (27.8) |
Diarrhea/bowel movements | 8 (14.8) |
Bradycardia | 7 (13.0) |
Cardiac/respiratory arrest | 5 (9.3) |
Stomach pain | 4 (7.4) |
Sweating | 2 (3.7) |
Dizziness | 1 (1.9) |
Laboratory testing | |
Low pseudocholinesterasec | 15 (27.8) |
Autopsy findings | |
Granulesd noted in gastric content | 19 (35.2) |
Congested organs | 5 (9.3) |