Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital said that it has just saved a 2-year-old girl with multiple organ failure due to swallowing copper sulfate.
Previously, patient P.T. N. (2 years old, in Da Nang) was brought to Da Nang Obstetrics and Pediatrics Hospital in a state of severe vomiting, pale blue stool mixed with blood diarrhea. Through medical history, the family said that the child swallowed blue crystals brought back from school by his older brother after practice class.
Doctors determined that this was coarse sulfate (CuSO4), a chemical that can cause severe poisoning. Upon admission, the child was lethargic, purple lips, weak pulse, labored breathing, low SpO2 and was quickly transferred to the pediatric resuscitation department for intensive treatment.
During treatment, the patient progressed severely with multiple organ dysfunction. Doctors applied many active resuscitation measures such as mechanical ventilation, vasopressors, intravenous fluids, increased copper excretion through urine and continuous blood filtration.
After more than 2 weeks of treatment, the child's health has gradually stabilized and is out of danger.
According to doctors, coal sulfate can cause damage to the digestive mucosa, tissue oxygen deficiency, acute hemolysis, liver damage, kidney failure and severe metabolic disorders. From this case, doctors recommend that parents be especially wary of school supplies and chemicals that children bring home from school; do not leave them within reach of young children.
When suspecting that a child has swallowed chemicals, it is necessary to quickly take them to the nearest medical facility, do not arbitrarily induce vomiting or give neutralizing solution without professional guidance.
