Severe Camphor Poisoning, A Seven-Year Observational Study

Publication date: Available online 21 March 2017 Source:Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology Author(s): Mitra Rahimi, Fatemeh Shokri, Hossein Hassanian-Moghaddam, Nasim Zamani, Abdolkarim Pajoumand, Shahin Shadnia In a retrospective case series from 2007-2014, we searched for any accidental/intentional, and recreational cases of pure camphor poisoning through hospital records. Epidemiological data, as well as factors correlated with seizure, were evaluated. Thirty cases including 29 males were recruited with a median age of 18 years (range; 0.2 to 87). Patient’s reported ingestion rate of camphor was 1.5 to 15 grams. Almost all of the patients (96.7%) were conscious on arrival time and the ingestion to the presentation time ratio was 7±5hours. It was observed that in a majority of the cases (53.4%), decreasing libido was the main intent of Camphor ingestion. Nausea and vomiting occurred in 22 (73.3%) cases and tonic-clonic seizure was seen in 12 (40%) patients. Mean presentation time was significantly longer in patients who experienced seizure (9.1±6.1hours vs. 5.2±2.8hours, p=.05). No correlation was found between the amount of ingested camphor (grams or mg/kg) and vital signs along with the bio-chemistry results. Not only did all of our cases survive but also they exclusively received supportive care. Graphical abstract
Source: Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology - Category: Environmental Health Source Type: research