Endosulfan poisoning--a clinical profile.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study is to identify the clinical profile of endosulfan poisoning and also to recognise any biochemical parameters which indicate clinical or subclinical dysfunction of organs so that the offending agent can be easily identified in a given case of poisoning and appropriate treatment instituted promptly.
METHODS: Forty four individuals who consumed food which was accidentally contaminated by endosulfan in a rural area were the subjects of the present study. Except the one who died, rest 43 were examined by the authors. A details history, regarding the item of food taken and quantity consumed was noted. Routine bio-chemical parameters like CBC, blood urea, serum creatinine, serum electrolytes, LFT, S Calcium, S Phosporus, were estimated, in fourteen of the patients who were admitted into this hospital. In seven of the patients who were available for follow up, laboratory parameters which were abnormal initially were repeated.
RESULTS: Examination revealed that vital signs were stable. There was no jaundice, central nervous system examination showed varying grades of altered sensorium, normal sized pupils briskly reacting to light, normal oculocephalic reflex. There were no lateralising signs like hemiparesis. Plantars were bilateral extensor. There were no signs of meningeal irritation. Complete blood counts, blood sugar, urea, serum creatinine, serum electrolytes were all normal. Liver function tests in the form of SGPT, SGOT were abnormal. Serum bilirubin levels were normal. The values of SGOT and SGPT returned to normal at the end of six weeks. All patients were treated symptomatically. A postmortem examination carried out on the individual who died due to status epilepticus confirmed that the death was due to asphyxia.
CONCLUSIONS: Endosulfan poisoning can be suspected by the primary CNS manifestations with or without clinical or laboratory evidence of other organ dysfunction like liver, kidney and muscle.