A Study of Clinical Profile of Claimed Zinc Phosphide Poisoning Patients at Rural Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

The study focuses on the clinical profile of patients suffering from zinc phosphide poisoning, admitted to a rural tertiary care center. Zinc phosphide, commonly used in rodenticides, poses a significant risk of fatality when ingested, particularly in cases of intentional poisoning. The research evaluates clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes of 102 patients admitted between October 2022 and August 2024. The majority of the patients were young adults aged 21-30 years, with males constituting 63.73% of the cases. The findings highlighted that patients presented with elevated systolic blood pressure in 75.49% of cases, while diastolic readings were lower in most. Laboratory analysis revealed that survivors and non-survivors differed significantly in terms of parameters like PTINR, total bilirubin, SGOT, and SGPT, all indicating liver damage as a critical determinant of fatality. Most patients (93.14%) had a single attempt at poisoning, and early medical intervention was crucial in reducing mortality rates. However, the absence of a definitive antidote for zinc phosphide remains a challenge, with heart and liver failure being the leading causes of death. The study concludes that strict regulation of zinc phosphide usage and increased public awareness are necessary to prevent such poisonings, especially in rural settings where it is easily accessible. Additionally, the research calls for ongoing efforts to develop effective treatments for this high-mortality poisoning.