SUICIDE ATTEMPT BY INGESTION OF DISINFECTANT

https://doi.org/10.56274/rcs.2022.1.1.3

Abstract

Cleaning and disinfection products are the first cause of poisoning due to unintentional ingestion in children under 2 years of age and the second in frequency, only after medicines, in the rest of the population; either accidentally or suicide attempt. Contact can be by oral route (the most common), inhalation or by the skin.

Sodium hypochlorite is a disinfectant and bleach, also known as chlorine or bleach. It has bactericidal and fungicidal properties, which is why it is widely used in industry and at home; being able to be found in different concentrations.

The presentations that are sold in shopping centers for domestic use, generally have concentrations between 3 and 6%, which reduces the risk of complications in case of ingestion, however, in case of suicide attempt, industrial presentations can be used, with a concentration greater than 10%; this conditions high risk of burn and esophageal injury by caustics.

We present the clinical case of a patient who ingested a disinfectant for swimming pools, with a 12.5% concentration of sodium hypochlorite, and the injuries secondary to this. We also review the literature and management proposals.