Acute pesticides poisoning in the Kraków Department of Clinical Toxicology in 1986-1995.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the number and the course of acute pesticides poisoning treated in the Department of Clinical Toxicology in 1986-1995. During that period 264 cases (189 men and 75 women) of acute pesticides poisoning were treated. Suicidal oral ingestion followed by inhalation and dermal exposure was the most common cause of acute intoxication. Organophosphates and carbamates were the most common cause of acute intoxication. Poisonings with dipyridyls and sulfonylurea derivatives are relatively rare. The highest number of poisonings was noted in age group 30-39 years. In 37% of the total analysed cases the co-ingestion of ethanol was noted. As organophosphorous compounds were the most common cause of acute pesticides poisoning, the gastric lavage + intensive care treatment + specific and non-specific antidotes were the most common therapeutic management. Duration of hospitalisation was dependent on the kind of pesticide. The longest hospitalisation required the patients poisoned with organophosphates. A full recovery was noted in 57.6% of poisoned patients. 34.1% of patients suffered different organ injury mostly from respiratory and central nervous system. 22 (8.3%) the fatal cases were noted in analysed period.