Naphthalene intoxication in Loghman – Hakim hospital from 2008 to 2018

Introduction: Naphthalene is a bicyclic aromatic hydrocarbon; and It is used as a moth repellant. Due to easy availability and common use of mothballs in home, there is a considerable risk for accidental or intentional poisoning. Severe exposure to naphthalene can cause serious clinical complications, including hemolysis and methemoglobinemia.Methods: The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of naphthalene toxicity in patients admitted to the Loghman-Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran. This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted based on questionnaire and hospital records of the patients from 2008 to 2018.Results: In 52 patients, 44/2% were male and 55/8% were female. The average age was 20 years and the highest prevalence was in under 5 age group. the purpose of consumption in 65/4% was intentional and in 34/6% was accidental. in all cases, Naphthalene Poisoning was following Ingestion of Mothballs. 34/6% of patients were asymptomatic; and in others, gastrointestinal problems were the most common complaints. The average length of stay in hospital was 1 day. No one needed intubation and no one have been admitted in ICU. A patient with G6PD deficiency presented with hemolysis; and other patients improved without serious clinical complications.Conclusion: naphthalene poisoning is uncommon and usually doesn’t cause severe morbidity or mortality. With supportive treatments, prognosis is favorable in most patients. patients who are susceptible to complications like hemolysis, must be observed more carefully. In this study the occurrence of hemolysis was less than expected and it can be because of short length of hospital stay. It is recommended to conduct a prospective study to evaluate and follow up patients to make more precise conclusion about rate of hemolysis and other medical complications in this patients.

کلیدواژه ها:

naphthalene ، poisoning ، hemolysis