Citation

Quadrani DA, Spiller HA, Steinhorn D. Vet. Hum. Toxico. 2000; 42(2): 96-98.

Affiliation

Kentucky Regional Poison Center, Louisville 40232-5070, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, American College of Veterinary Toxicologists)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10750175

Abstract

Acute selenium poisoning occurs infrequently. The form of selenium encountered plays a great role in toxicity. Several fatalities have been reported and all but I involved ingestion of selenious acid or selenium dioxide. A healthy 22-mo-old male ingested up to 15 ml of Gun Blue solution (selenious acid). Initially he was pink, alert, and combative in the ambulance but his condition rapidly deteriorated. There was no measurable blood pressure, his oxygen saturation was 84% by pulse oximetry, and his mental status deteriorated to require hand ventilation. The child was cyanotic, unresponsive, and without palpable pulses upon presentation. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated unsuccessfully and was terminated after 35 minutes.