Tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas por desinfectantes durante la COVID-19 / Treatment of acute poisoning by disinfectants during COVID-19

Introducción: El uso de productos de limpieza, a expensa de los desinfectantes se ha incrementado por la población mundial como consecuencia de la COVID-19. El manejo frecuente de estas sustancias químicas por las personas puede ocasionar cuadros de intoxicaciones agudas. Esta situación se evidencia en los reportes emitidos por los centros antitóxicos del orbe, donde consta el aumento en el número de consultas toxicológicas. Objetivo: Describir el tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas por desinfectantes durante la COVID-19. Métodos: Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica acerca del tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas por desinfectantes durante la COVID-19. Se incluyeron artículos escritos en español, inglés y portugués. Además, se abordaron aspectos relacionados con las intoxicaciones agudas por el uso de desinfectantes, el cuadro clínico, así como elementos del diagnóstico y tratamiento de las intoxicaciones agudas por estas sustancias químicas. Conclusiones: Las intoxicaciones agudas por hipoclorito de sodio y geles hidroalcohólicos son las más frecuentes en la población durante la COVID-19 en proporción con el uso de estos productos químicos. La atención médica precoz, eficaz y oportuna disminuirá la posibilidad de aparición de complicaciones. El tratamiento de estás intoxicaciones agudas está en relación con los síntomas y signos que presentan los pacientes al ser recibidos en los servicios de urgencia(AU)

Introduction: The use of cleaning products, at the expense of disinfectants, has increased by the world population as a consequence of COVID-19. Frequent handling of these chemical substances by people can cause acute poisoning. This situation is evidenced in the reports issued by the world's anti-toxic centers, where the increase in the number of toxicological consultations is recorded. Objective: To describe the treatment of acute poisoning by disinfectants during COVID-19. Methods: A literature review on the treatment of acute poisoning by disinfectants during COVID-19 was carried out. Articles written in Spanish, English and Portuguese were included. In addition, aspects related to acute poisoning due to the use of disinfectants, the clinical condition, as well as elements of the diagnosis and treatment of acute poisoning by these chemical substances were addressed. Conclusions: Acute poisoning by sodium hypochlorite and hydroalcoholic gels are the most frequent in the population during COVID-19 in proportion to the use of these chemical products. Early, effective and timely medical care will reduce the possibility of complications. The treatment of these acute intoxications is related to the symptoms and signs presented by patients when they are received in the emergency services(AU)

A profile of unintentional poisoning caused by household cleaning products, disinfectants and pesticides / Perfil de intoxicações não intencionais com produtos saneantes de uso doméstico

Unintentional poisoning occurred mainly among children. The leading cause of such poisoning in Brazil, among consumer products was household cleaning products. For this study 2810 calls made to two poison control centers in the State of Rio de Janeiro between January 2000 and December 2002 were analyzed. Children under five were the most vulnerable group. More boys under 10 suffered accidental poisoning than girls, although above this age, the distribution was inverted. The calls received by poison control centers were mainly from health services within the first two hours following poisoning. The most frequent exposure routes were ingestion (90.4 percent), followed by inhalation (4.3 percent), skin and eye contact (2.4 percent and 2 percent respectively). The products involved were bleach, petroleum derivates, rodenticides and pesticides. The main causes were products within the children's reach, storage in soft drink bottles, food mixed with rodenticides, incorrect product use, and kitchen utensils used for measured cleaning products. The most common outcome was that the patient was cured, although a lot of cases were lost to follow-up. Education programs are necessary in order to avoid these poisonings.

Intoxicações não-intencionais ocorrem principalmente na infância. No Brasil, os produtos de limpeza doméstica são as principais causas desses eventos. Para este estudo foram analisados 2.810 casos registrados nos dois centros de controle de intoxicação do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, no período de janeiro de 2000 a dezembro 2002. O grupo mais vulnerável foi o de crianças de até cinco anos de idade. Meninos de até dez anos foram mais intoxicados do que meninas. A partir dessa faixa etária, a distribuição foi invertida. Os centros de controle de intoxicação foram chamados principalmente por serviços de saúde no período de até duas horas após o envenenamento. As vias de exposição mais freqüentes foram ingestão (90,4 por cento), inalação (4,3 por cento), dérmica (2,4 por cento) e ocular (2 por cento). Os produtos envolvidos foram alvejantes, derivados de petróleo, raticidas e pesticidas. As principais causas foram: produto ao alcance de crianças, estocagem em garrafas de refrigerantes, uso de alimentos com raticidas, uso incorreto do produto, e utensílios de cozinha com produtos de limpeza. O desfecho mais freqüente foi cura apesar do grande número de casos perdidos durante o seguimento. São necessários programas educacionais a fim de evitar esses eventos.