Open AccessNaphthalene poisoning manifesting as hemoglobinuria
Author(s) -
Vivek Chauhan,
Rajesh Sharma,
Kailashnath Sharma,
Gurudutt Sharma,
Sandhu Jitender,
Vaneet Jearth
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
toxicology international/indian journal of toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.129
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 0976-5131
pISSN - 0971-6580
DOI - 10.4103/0971-6580.155379
Subject(s) - hemoglobinuria , myoglobinuria , vomiting , hemolysis , medicine , urine , heinz body , ingestion , nausea , accidental , surgery , rhabdomyolysis , hemoglobin , physics , acoustics
Reddish black discoloration of urine in absence of red blood cells (RBCs) can be a manifestation of hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria. We report a patient who was admitted for persistent vomiting. On 2(nd) day of admission, his urine turned reddish black. The patient then revealed that he had ingested mothballs 1 day back to commit suicide. The patient was managed conservatively with intravenous (IV) fluids and antiemetics. Mothballs are rarely reported as a suicidal agent and most cases are related to accidental exposure of children while playing. IV hemolysis is also reported with mothball ingestion. Our patient quickly became normal within 24 h and there was no residual organ damage.