A clinical observation was made on 22 cases of RH-787 (rodenticide) intoxication seen at the Wallace. Memorial Baptist Hospital, Busan, Korea.
Among these 22 cases, for five cases serial plasma insulin levels were measured by means ofradioimmunoassay using the set made at Curtis Nuclear Corporation in U. S. A. and the following results were obtained.
There were 7 men and 15 women. The age distribution ranged from 16 to 70 years and the average was 29 years. The amount ingested varied from 12.5gm. to 259m. (Half to one package).
The main clinical symptoms included vomiting (86%), abdominal pain and discomfort(68%), nausaa(64%), dehydration(64%), numbness and tingling sensation of extremities (64%) and mental dis-
turbance(45%). In addition, several cases of acute brain syndrome (2 -cases) and `water retension syndrome (1 case) were seen,
Among the 22 cases, 18 cases developed hyperglycemia and out of these 18 cases, 15 cases had ketonuria,
The plasma insulin value tended to decrease within the first few days of ingestion and then, with time, tended to increase and there was a reveresed tendency. in the blood sugar level, This suggested that the diabetes mellitus induced by RH-787 seemed not to be permanent but may be transient and curable.
In most cases, there were noted wide fluctuations in blood glucose level with or without insulin administration, suggesting high sensitivity to insulin. Therefore low dose insulin therapy is recommended.
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