Clinical Epidemiology and Treatment Outcome of Monocrotophos Poisoning: A Seven Year Prospective Study

Abstract

Background

Monocrotophos is classified in the WHO Class Ib and considered as highly toxic pesticide. Monocrotophos is an organophosphorus compound used for protection of rice, banana, cotton, citrous and vegetables from wide spectrum of insects. Monocrotophos is toxic in all routes of exposure, it is cheap and easily available, so the risk of exposure and toxicity is high. Published systematic study on the clinical epidemiology and treatment outcome of monocrotophos poisoning is scarce.

Methodology

This patient record based cross-sectional study was carried out in 34 patients with monocrotophos poisoning to find out the outcome of treatment expressed as duration of stay in hospital, disability and death. International Programme on Chemical Safety (IPCS) poison severity score was used to find out the severity of poisoning at the time of admission.

Results

The poisoning due to monocrotophos constituted 2.95% of the poisoning cases and 5.26% of organophosphoros poisoining during the study period. The mean age of patients in monocrotophos poisoning was 35.26±12.86 years with a range of 18 to 65 years. There was male predominance. Majority of the patients were agricultural workers and farmers by occupation (18, 52.94%). The mean duration of stay in hospital is 10.53±5.60 days. Out of 34 patients, 26 (73.52%) recovered and 8 (26.47%) succumbed. Monocrotophus poisoning along with alcohol was associated with a higher odds of mortality (OR 42, 95% CI 4.05-435.03).

Conclusion

Monocrotophos is a highly toxic compound, the consequences of poisoning being fatal.