Abstract
Insecticides are toxic chemicals used at homes for controlling insects of public health importance and controlling agricultural pests at home gardens. Their application may result in accidental poisoning. Four accidental insecticide-poisoning children coupled with a scorpion bitten child were brought to the main hospital in southern Gaza for medical treatment. Primary investigation showed severe breath shortness, low heartbeat, and low blood pressure (hypotension). These symptoms are indications of potential cardiotoxicity among children. Electrocardiograms were measured and indicated various heart complications between cases. Complete blood count (CBC) determination showed the highest white blood cells (WBC) in the scorpion-bitted child suggesting the development of immune defense system. Blood electrolyte (Na+, K+, Ca2+) concentrations indicated disturbances due to poisoning. An interesting outcome of the study is the dramatic alteration in blood glucose concentration. Additionally, activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) indicated normal activity in poisoning case 1, moderate inhibition in poisoning case 2 and case 3, normal activity in poisoning case 4 and severe inhibition in poisoning case 5. The levels of Aminotransferase (ALT) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) were within the acceptable range whereas the level of Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) was above the acceptable reference range suggesting potential Hepato-toxicity. Scorpion bitten child did not receive atropine whereas two poisoned cases were successfully cured by atropine injection. Additionally, alternative safe medical management may be used for cardiotoxicity using vitamin C, vitamin E, quercetin, and curcumin. These vitamins may be recommended as alternative medical treatments for cardiotoxicity.
Highlights
The use of insecticides at homes has progressively increased due to public health and home garden pests control
Complete blood count (CBC) determination showed the highest white blood cells (WBC) in the scorpion-bitted child suggesting the development of immune defense system
Five children, one male and four females came to the main hospital in southern Gaza, suffering from organophosphate poisoning and one of them suffered from scorpion bite
Summary
The use of insecticides at homes has progressively increased due to public health and home garden pests control. Houseflies, mosquitoes, several types of cockroaches require adequate control to reduce the population of these insects. Beetles, fruit fly and mites require frequent application of insecticides to protect the garden. Chlorpyrifos and malathion (organophosphorus insecticides) are currently in use in Gaza to control household and agricultural insects [1]-[6]. Many of these pesticides have been shown to cause cardiotoxicity worldwide [7], reproductive toxicity [8] and carcinogenetic disturbances worldwide [9]
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