| A rare life-threatening intoxication with monochloroacetic acid (mainly through the skin, but also by inhalation or ingestion). It is characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and central nervous system excitability (disorientation, delirium, convulsions) as early signs of systemic poisoning, followed by central nervous system depression, coma and cerebral edema. Additional signs include heart involvement (severe myocardial depression, shock, arrhythmias, nonspecific myocardial damage), severe metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia and hypocalcemia and progressive renal failure leading to anuria. Myoglobinemia and leukocytosis may occur. Manifestations may be delayed for 1-4 hours. |
