Organophosphate Poisoning
Organophosphate Poisoning is a topic covered in the 5-Minute Emergency Consult.
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Basics
Description
Description
- Organophosphates (pesticides and nerve agents) irreversibly bind and deactivate cholinesterases, including acetylcholinesterase
- Acetylcholine accumulates at neural synapses, causing central and peripheral cholinergic overdrive
- Predominant effects (muscarinic, nicotinic, CNS) may vary and can overlap.
- Mortality is secondary to respiratory failure:
- Weakness of respiratory muscles
- Bronchorrhea and bronchoconstriction
- Central depression of respiratory drive
Pediatric Considerations
- Symptoms are difficult to differentiate in toddlers
- Common symptoms: Miosis, salivation, and muscle weakness
- Seizure activity in 25% of pediatric cases:
- Only 3% in adults
Etiology
Etiology
- Exposure to insecticides (organophosphorus compounds)
- Exposure to chemical nerve agents (sarin, soman, tabun, VX)
- Extremely well absorbed from lung, GI tract, skin, mucosa, eyes
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Citation
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TY - ELEC
T1 - Organophosphate Poisoning
ID - 307572
ED - Barkin,Adam Z,
ED - Barkin,Roger M,
ED - Hayden,Stephen R,
ED - Rosen,Peter,
ED - Schaider,Jeffrey J,
ED - Shayne,Philip,
ED - Wolfe,Richard E,
BT - 5-Minute Emergency Consult
UR - https://emergency.unboundmedicine.com/emergency/view/5-Minute_Emergency_Consult/307572/all/Organophosphate_Poisoning
PB - Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ET - 5
DB - Emergency Central
DP - Unbound Medicine
ER -