Acute paraquat poisoning presenting with severe hepatorenal failure

Abstract

In India, agrochemicals are often used as poisons. However, organophosphorus compounds are more commonly used for this purpose than other chemicals. Paraquat is an herbicide with potential oxidative cytotoxic effects. We here report a fatal case of paraquat poisoning from Eastern India, presenting with acute hepatorenal failure. The patient also had severe burns of her mouth. This is probably the second report of such fatal effect of paraquat poisoning from this part of the country.