Blood levels of methemoglobin in patients with aluminum phosphide poisoning and its correlation with patient's outcome.

Although methemoglobinemia following aluminum phosphide (AlP) intoxication has been reported, probable effect of blood level of methemoglobin (Met-Hb) on outcome of AlP-poisoned patients has not yet been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate blood levels of methemoglobin in patients with AP intoxication and its correlation with patient's outcome. This prospective study was carried out at the Loghman-Hakim poison hospital from April 2009 to August 2009. All patients aged >12 years who had ingested AlP and were admitted at the hospital were enrolled in the study. Using the co-oximetry, blood Met-Hb level was measured at the time of admission and 24 h later if the patient survived. Forty-eight patients with AlP intoxication including 24 males were evaluated. Mean age of the patients was 25.5±9.5 years. There was significant association between blood level of Met-Hb at the time of admission and mortality (2.4%±7.1% in survivors versus 15.2%±13.5% in non-survivors, P<0.001). The same association was found at the 2nd day of admission (2.9%±8.2% in survivors versus 26.5%±9.9% in non-survivors, P=0.02). The present study found an association between blood level of Met-Hb and mortality in patients with AlP intoxication. Effect of administration of vitamin C and methylene blue on outcome of patients with AlP intoxication should be investigated in future studies. © American College of Medical Toxicology 2010