Question 1

how can organophosphate poisoning be treated?

Accepted Answer

Decontaminate: Atropine injection as soon as possible. Followed by supportive care. Person might need ventilator support for breathing until effects of OP provisioning wears off.

Question 2

what signs would you expect to observe if organophosphate poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Water everywhere: Ops prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. Excess of this leads to excess stimulation of the cholinergic nervous system. This is manifest by salivation, lacrimation (tears), sweating, urination, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The most concerning symptoms are the "killer b's" - bronchorrhea (fluid in lungs), bronchospasm (spasm of air passages) and bradycardia (slow heart rate) which can kill.

Question 3

hi doctors, can you tell me what is organophosphate poisoning?

Accepted Answer

It can be fatal: Organophosphates are found in insecticides, herbicides, and nerve agents. They block an enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine (ACh). As a result, ACh accumulation can cause anxiety, headache, convulsions, respiratory failure, tremor, general weakness, and potentially coma. Patients with symptoms and an exposure history should go to the closest ER. Ref: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493390

Question 4

how does organophosphate poisoning cause muscular paralysis?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits AChE: Organophosphates inhibit acetocholinesterase, which is responsible for recycling actetocholine.  This leads to muscle overstimulation and rigid paralysis (amongst other things).

Question 5

when administering succinylcholine for intubation on a semi-conscious trauma pt with organophosphate poisoning, is there a dosage adjustment?

Accepted Answer

Shouldn't have to: the amount of Sch is overwhelming in an intubating dose. Also, Sch is a noncompetitive agonist, so it should work in a different mechanism than non-depolarizers.

"Semi-conscious?" - did you give an anesthetic, or does the patient look sedated b/c of the AchI effects?

Question 6

what is the physiological basis of muscle "twitching" in organophosphate poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Well...: These products simulate the action of neurotransmitters....

Question 7

how to describe poisoning by organophosphates and pesticides?

Accepted Answer

Typical scenario: This class of chemicals affects acetylcholine and can result in diffuse weakness, and difficulty breathing if excess exposure does occur, besides additional systemic and GI symptoms.  This could well develop rapidly into a medical emergency.

Question 8

what is the pathogenesis of lead poisoning in children?

Accepted Answer

Ingestion: Usually from lead paint or contaminated water supply.

Question 9

what is lead poisoning in children link to soil?

Accepted Answer

Flaking lead paint: Soil around old houses contains flakes of house paints that used to contain lead. Children get lead poisoning by eating dirt/soil contaminated with lead.

Question 10

are children more susceptible to lead poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Lead exposure is bad for anyone, but for children, who have brains that are not fully developed, it's worse.  For every measurable increase in blood lead level, there is a corresponding and measurable decrease in intelligence quotient.  Further, children, especially toddlers, are far more likely to put lead containing things in their mouths, and thus poison themselves, than are adults.

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Doctor answers about:

Organophosphate poisoning in children

A member asked:

How can organophosphate poisoning be treated?

A member asked:

What signs would you expect to observe if organophosphate poisoning?

A member asked:

Hi doctors, can you tell me what is organophosphate poisoning?

A member asked:

How does organophosphate poisoning cause muscular paralysis?

A member asked:

When administering succinylcholine for intubation on a semi-conscious trauma pt with organophosphate poisoning, is there a dosage adjustment?

A member asked:

What is the physiological basis of muscle "twitching" in organophosphate poisoning?

A member asked:

How to describe poisoning by organophosphates and pesticides?

A member asked:

What is the pathogenesis of lead poisoning in children?

A member asked:

What is lead poisoning in children link to soil?

A member asked:

Are children more susceptible to lead poisoning?

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