Naphthalene Induced Acute Hemolysis in A G6PD Deficient Bangladeshi Boy - A Case Report

Abstract

Naphthalene is a chemical which is used widely as moth repellent, insecticides and as a deodorant in lavatories worldwide. This report presents a 3 years old Bangladeshi boy, who used to play with naphthalene moth-balls for last 7 days and inquisitively ingested part of a naphthalene ball and was admitted with recurrent vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, fever, passage of dark cola colored urine and jaundice. The child had no past history of jaundice or any episodes of Hemolysis. Features of severe intravascular haemolysis with neutrophilic leukocytosis were detected. His Glucose 6 phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity was found below normal and was diagnosed as G6PD deficiency disorder. He was treated with IV saline infusion, packed cell transfusion and oral anti-oxidant (Vit A, C, E) therapy. The aim of this case report is to highlight and also to aware about the toxicity of this common household naphthalene especially in G6PD deficient patient.