Accidental Zinc Phosphide Poisoning among Population: A Case Report

Abstract

The use of rodenticides in Gaza in the past years becomes easy due to rodent outbreak. The municipalities allow the use of rodenticides without quality control or technical supports. This situation leads to an easy purchasing of zinc phosphide or its analog. This resulted in acute poising among adults and children. Herein we reported an accidental zinc phosphide poisoning to an adult man and discussed the associated medical complications with this case. Gastric lavage followed by atropine and vitamin K gavage on the 1st day of poisoning (hospital admission) resulted in a slight improvement of the case. Clinical symptoms included severe abdominal colic without losing conscious. Complete blood count (CBC) showed elevated levels of white blood cells (WBCs) and granulocytes (GRAN) levels indicating medical complication of the case. Biochemical analysis showed elevated levels of liver and cardiac biomarkers indicating potential liver and heart injuries. Continuous gavage of vitamin K, resulted in a gradual improvement of the case. On the 4th day of medical period, abdominal colic disappeared and CBC parameters became near the reference range. Consequently, the patient was set free from the hospital.