Olsen Vigdis, Mørland Jørg
Divisjon for rettstoksikologi og rusmiddelforskning, Nasjonalt folkehelseinstitutt, Postboks 4404 Nydalen, 0403 Oslo.
Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2004 Nov 4;124(21):2750-3.
Arsenic poisoning has been discussed frequently in Norway during the past year on the background of a suspected crime case. There seem to be several uncertainties regarding this issue, also in the medical profession.
We have searched the literature and made a review based upon the present knowledge about arsenic and arsenic poisoning.
Arsenic can be found in numerous chemical compounds with different properties. Inorganic arsenic compounds, like arsenic trioxide, are reactive and can cause damage to the body. Organic arsenic compounds, which are found in high concentrations in fish and shellfish, are not considered toxic. Ingestion of inorganic arsenic affects cellular energy production; lethal poisonings can occur. Common clinical features after acute intoxication with arsenic are dysphagia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, intense thirst, and muscle cramps. Clinical features of chronic poisoning are hyperkeratosis in the palms and foot soles, pigmentation and conjunctivitis.
Arsenic poisoning is a rare condition; its clinical features are uncharacteristic and the diagnosis must be confirmed by analysis of blood, urine and hair.
在过去一年里，挪威因一起疑似犯罪案件对砷中毒进行了频繁讨论。关于这个问题似乎存在一些不确定性，在医学界也是如此。
我们检索了文献，并根据目前关于砷和砷中毒的知识进行了综述。
砷存在于众多具有不同性质的化合物中。无机砷化合物，如三氧化二砷，具有反应活性，可对身体造成损害。在鱼类和贝类中大量存在的有机砷化合物不被认为有毒。摄入无机砷会影响细胞能量产生；可能发生致命中毒。急性砷中毒后的常见临床特征包括吞咽困难、恶心、呕吐、腹痛、腹泻、极度口渴和肌肉痉挛。慢性中毒的临床特征是手掌和脚底出现角化过度、色素沉着和结膜炎。
砷中毒是一种罕见病症；其临床特征不典型，诊断必须通过对血液、尿液和毛发的分析来确认。
