Ahmet GÜZEL, MEHMET AÇIKGÖZ

A lethal danger in the home: turpentine poisoning

Güzel A, Açıkgöz M. A lethal danger in the home: turpentine poisoning. Turk J Pediatr 2015; 57: 177-179.Turpentine is an oleoresin obtained from various species of pine. In turpentine poisoning, various signs and symptoms of toxicity may develop, including hematuria, renal failure, loss of vision, chest pain, vomiting, severe coughing, gastroesophageal hemorrhage, hypotension, swelling of the throat and even death. We report a case of turpentine ingestion in a 9-year-old boy. The patient was admitted to our clinic with suspected intoxication after accidentally drinking from a glass that held a turpentine oil preparation used by his father for hair care. The patient displayed no significant signs and symptoms other than bradycardia and hypotension. Laboratory investigations revealed no abnormalities. The patient was hospitalized for close monitoring and observation. During a two-and-a-half-day observation period, hypotension was corrected with administration of dopamine and intravenous fluids. In this report, we wish to draw attention to the dangerous effects of plantderived drugs.

PDF

___

1. Barchino-Ortiz L, Cabeza-Martínez R, Leis-Dosil VM, Suárez-Fernández RM, Lázaro-Ochaita P. Allergic contact hobby dermatitis from turpentine. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr) 2008; 36: 117-119.

2. Filipsson AF. Short term inhalation exposure to turpentine: toxicokinetics and acute effects in men. Occup Environ Med 1996; 53: 100-105.

3. Pande TK, Pani S, Hiran S, Rao VV, Shah H, Vishwanathan KA. Turpentine poisoning: a case report. Forensic Sci Int 1994; 65: 47-49.

4. Harbeson AE. A case of turpentine poisoning. Can Med Assoc J 1936; 35: 549-550.

5. Khan AJ, Akhtar RP, Faruqui ZS. Turpentine oil inhalation leading to lung necrosis and empyema in a toddler. Pediatr Emerg Care 2006; 22: 355-357.

6. Haneke KE. Review of Toxicological Literature/ Toxicological Summary For Turpentine. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina: National Institute of Environmental Health Services; 2002. Available at http://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/htdocs/chem_ background/exsumpdf/turpentine_508.pdf.

7. Hockey R, Reith D. Childhood poisoning and ingestion. Injury Bull 2000; 60: 1-6.

8. Shannon M. Ingestion of toxic substances by children. N Engl J Med 2000; 342: 186-191.

9. Riordan M, Rylance G, Berry K. Poisoning in children 4: household products, plants, and mushrooms. Arch Dis Child 2002; 87: 403-406.

10. Vale JA. Position statement: gastric lavage. American Academy of Clinical Toxicology; European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1997; 35: 711-719.