Journal of Forensic Research

Trends of Clinical Toxicology Cases in Nepal

Abstract

Bhinu Shova Tuladhar

Clinical analytical toxicology is one of the most essential parts in treatment of patients poisoned with drugs or toxic chemicals in hospitals. National Forensic Science Laboratory (NAFOL) has been providing clinical toxicology analytical services since its inception in 1999. NAFOL received over 182 cases in Fiscal Year 2011/2012 which is a far cry from two cases it started with in 1999. This study aims to analyze the data compiled from last 12 years (Fiscal Year 2000/2001 to 2011/2012) on different nature of poisons found in clinical toxicological cases. NAFOL analyzed total of 1699 toxicological cases it received from 22 different hospitals among which 1016 (60%) cases were of clinical toxicology. Out of 1016 clinical toxicological cases, 479 cases (47%) were negative and 537 cases (53%) were positive. Types of poisons used in the 537 positive cases are insecticide (34%), drugs (11%), rodenticide (4%) and other miscellaneous (4%). Nuvan is the most common insecticide used as poison. The laboratory is facing the problems in providing clinical toxicology services due to inadequate information about the case history and lack of awareness in sample collections. It is expected that the study will help clinicians treat patients poisoned with drugs or toxic chemicals in the hospitals better.