Abstract

FUENTES MALLOZZI, Dante Alejandro et al. Parenteral paraquat poisoning. Acta méd. Grupo Ángeles [online]. 2020, vol.18, n.4, pp.411-413.  Epub June 06, 2022. ISSN 1870-7203.  https://doi.org/10.35366/97269.

Herbicides are agricultural products widely distributed worldwide. Paraquat (1,1’-dimethyl-4,4’-bipyridyl) is a potent bipyridyl-type herbicide and desiccant, which is available as a 20% standard solution. In Mexico, it is still highly used despite attempts to restrict it. Due to its high lethality, it is used for suicide purposes. The main route of administration is the gastrointestinal route, although some cases have been reported intravenously, intramuscularly and intradermally. Parenteral paraquat poisoning is extremely rare and is associated in most cases with suicide attempt. We present the case of a 13-year-old female, who self-administered paraquat intramuscularly and who developed lethal complications as a consequence of intoxication by said product, whose death occurred 20 days after administration of paraquat.

Keywords : Paraquat; poisoning; suicide; pulmonary fibrosis.