Hypokalaemic Paralysis Secondary to Acute Barium Carbonate Toxicity

INTRODUCTION Barium intoxication is a rare cause of hypokaemia. It results from ingestion or inhalation of the soluble acid salts of barium I. Common household products, e.g. rodenticides, insecticides and hair removers are known sources of accidental or suicidal barium poisoning-A, In clinical practice the most common cause of acute toxicity is ingestion of the rodenticide barium carbonate (BaC03) . Occupational poisoning to barium is uncommon'. In this article, our experience with cases of hypokalaemic paralysis induced by acute barium carbonate toxicity, has been elaborated.

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