Paraphenylene Diamine (Kala Pather) Poisoning Experience at Government Mian Munshi Hospital, Lahore

Aim: To assess clinical features and outcome of Paraphenylene Diamine (PPD) Or Kala Pather poisoning at Government Mian Munshi Hospital, Lahore. Methods: This observational study was conducted at Department of Medicine, Government Mian Munshi Hospital, Lahore from January 2018 to April 2018.Total 24 Cases of PPDPoisoningadmittedto emergency departmentand Medical unit were includedin this study. Their demography, clinicalfeatures and outcome was recorded and assessed. Results: Out of total 24 patients majority were young female with F:M ratio 11:1. The mean age was20.5 +/- 6.24 years. Most of the patients belonged to lower socio-economic status. Suicidalingestion waspredominant causeofPPD ingestion. The earliest clinical features were dysphagia, cervicofacial edema and throat pain. Later on patients developed respiratory difficulty within usually 12 - 24 hours. Rhabdomylysis, acute renal failure, hepatitis, seizures occurred as a delayed complications within a week. As no specific antitdote of PPD poisoningis available, most of patients were treated withsupportivetreatmentand / or immediate tracheostomy. High mortality and morbidity was observed in this study - 12.5%. Conclusion: PPD (kala Pather) Poisoningis a great hazard associated with high mortality, requires banning its easy availability.