Case Report
Year: 2021 | Month: January-March | Volume: 6 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 163-165
Inhalation Camphor Toxicity in an Infant during COVID-19 Pandemic
Sood Abhinandan1, Vatsayan Rahul2, Sood Varun3, Sood Neha4, Kaundel Yogeta5
1Incharge, Pediatric Unit, Civil hospital, Bhawarna, Distt Kangra (HP).
2Incharge, Medicine Unit, Civil hospital, Bhawarna, Distt Kangra (HP).
3,4,5MBBS, Civil hospital, Bhawarna, Distt Kangra (HP).
Corresponding Author: Vatsayan Rahul
ABSTRACT
Camphor toxicity is common and under reported toxicity of substance especially among children less than 6 year age. (1) Exploratory ingestion or cutaneous applications are common route. Camphor is widely available in household, used in religious ceremonies, as fumigant, insect repellent, pain relieving syrups or emollients, vaporizers etc. Gastrointestinal and central nervous symptoms occur commonly after ingestion of camphor products.(1,2) As general belief among people like fumes of camphor can cut chance of respiratory infections(during corona virus pandemic), we came across a case where camphor tablets led to inhalation toxicity where an infant presented with vomiting and loose stool and acute decrease of sensorium. Condition improved and case sent home after 8 hours of hospital stay. Inhalation route of camphor toxicity is under reported, although not uncommon. Wide availability of camphor products in houses within approach of children and exposure of camphor to infants make them vulnerable to toxicity. Hence, awareness about potential toxic and lethal effect of raw camphor products should be raised among general population.
Keywords: Camphor toxicity, Inhalation, infant, COVID-19 Pandemic.