Suicide by an Unusual Compound

Fenu, Elena M.; Brower, Justin O.; O’Neill, Tiffany E.

doi:10.1097/paf.0000000000000663

“…Acute barium poisoning has not been frequently reported, with a few cases in recent years. [1,3,4] Since the first case of acute barium poisoning was published in 1984, hypokalemia has been accepted as the most profound symptom. [5] In subsequent reports, [3,4] potassium supplementation was recommended as essential treatment and the patients were rescued successfully.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Intentional or accidental barium ingestion is extremely rare, but it can cause death when the patient is not rescued timely, as reported on several occasions. [1,2] Recently, a suicidal ingestion of barium chloride solution occurred in a medical facility and the patient was rescued successfully. We present the data for this case; for the first time, we measured the concentration of barium in 9 groups of paired serum and urine samples collected sequentially after ingestion, and revealed that barium can be metabolized rapidly during the first 24 hours.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metabolism of barium in the human body after suicidal ingestion: A CARE-compliant case report

Zhang

¹

,

Wang²,

Li³

et al. 2022

Medicine

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Rationale: Thus far, barium poisoning has been seldom reported and the metabolism of barium in human body has not been explored. Patient concerns: A 21-year-old young man was taken to the local hospital by “120 emergency medical services” after a suicidal attempt. About 100 mL of barium chloride solution with a concentration of 100 g/L was ingested, while the actual amount of ingested barium chloride solution was unclear because of immediate vomiting after the ingestion. Diagnoses: About 2 hours after the suicidal ingestion, the patient was presented with somnolence, the pulse rate was 67 beats per minute, the blood pressure was 158/92 mm Hg, but he exhibited no nausea or vomiting. About 3 hours after the ingestion, the blood concentration of potassium was 1.5 mmol/L. Interventions: The patient received gastric lavage by magnesium sulfate solution, intravenous sodium thiosulfate, and potassium supplementation. Other symptomatic treatments were applied simultaneously. To investigate the metabolism of barium in the human body, we measured the concentration of barium in 9 groups of paired serum and urine samples sequentially collected from the patient. Outcomes: The patient was rescued successfully. Lessons: The serum concentration of barium decreased rapidly in the first 24 hours. In this period, prompt and massive potassium supplementation and other symptomatic treatments are effective and recommended.

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“…A subsequent autopsy revealed histological changes in the liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys, but with no distinctive alterations in the brain. Postmortem peripheral blood analysis revealed Ba concentration at level 13 mg/l (13000 µg/l) [75].…”

Section: Bariummentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace elements concentrations in drinking water – is there a risk for neurological or psychiatric disorders?

Januszewski,

Forma,

Sitarz

et al. 2023

Curr Probl Psychiatry

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Introduction: Drinking water contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, chromium, zinc, lead, etc. is becoming a major health concern. Some trace elements have been linked to neurotoxic effects and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, although there is still an area for further investigations on how they may affect neurological and psychiatric illnesses. It is widely acknowledged that the generation of reactive oxygen species causes oxidative damage and other detrimental health effects, and is the main mechanism underlying heavy metal-induced toxicity in contaminated drinking water. The aim: The main objective of this narrative review was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the concentrations of chosen trace elements in drinking water and their possible relationship with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Material and method: The available literature was reviewed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences platforms. The analysis included both reviews and original studies. Discussion: Some elements such as aluminum, arsenic, lithium, or nickel have been suggested to be risk factors for psychoneurological disorders. Further, studies suggest that some neurobehavioral disorders might be due to the collective action of metals in drinking water. Keywords: trace elements; drinking water; contamination; neurological disorder; psychiatric disorder

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“…A subsequent autopsy revealed histological changes in the liver, heart, lungs, and kidneys, but with no distinctive alterations in the brain. Postmortem peripheral blood analysis revealed Ba concentration at level 13 mg/l (13000 µg/l) [75].…”

Section: Bariummentioning

confidence: 99%

Trace elements concentrations in drinking water – is there a risk for neurological or psychiatric disorders?

Januszewski,

Forma,

Sitarz

et al. 2023

Curr Probl Psychiatry

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Drinking water contaminated with heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, nickel, mercury, chromium, zinc, lead, etc. is becoming a major health concern. Some trace elements have been linked to neurotoxic effects and an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, although there is still an area for further investigations on how they may affect neurological and psychiatric illnesses. It is widely acknowledged that the generation of reactive oxygen species causes oxidative damage and other detrimental health effects, and is the main mechanism underlying heavy metal-induced toxicity in contaminated drinking water. The aim: The main objective of this narrative review was to summarize the current knowledge regarding the concentrations of chosen trace elements in drinking water and their possible relationship with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Material and method: The available literature was reviewed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Sciences platforms. The analysis included both reviews and original studies. Discussion: Some elements such as aluminum, arsenic, lithium, or nickel have been suggested to be risk factors for psychoneurological disorders. Further, studies suggest that some neurobehavioral disorders might be due to the collective action of metals in drinking water. Keywords: trace elements; drinking water; contamination; neurological disorder; psychiatric disorder

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Suicide by an Unusual Compound

Cited by 7 publications

References 11 publications

Metabolism of barium in the human body after suicidal ingestion: A CARE-compliant case report

Metabolism of barium in the human body after suicidal ingestion: A CARE-compliant case report

Trace elements concentrations in drinking water – is there a risk for neurological or psychiatric disorders?

Trace elements concentrations in drinking water – is there a risk for neurological or psychiatric disorders?

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