Portal de Periódicos da CAPES

Suicide Case Due to Phosphoric Acid Ingestion: Case Report and Review of Literature

2014; Wiley; Volume: 59; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/1556-4029.12538

1556-4029

Isabella Aquila, Francesca Pepe, Ciro Di Nunzio, Francesco Ausania, Arianna Serra, Pietrantonio Ricci,

Alcoholism and Thiamine Deficiency

Abstract Ingesting caustic substances represents a common event which may result in serious injuries of the gastrointestinal system. Severity of injury depends on the type of ingested substance: Caustic burns are more frequently associated with acid ingestion and their severity depends on type, concentration, time of exposure, and amount of the ingested substance. We report a case of phosphoric acid ingestion leading to death in a patient with depressive disorder. While reports ingestion of other acids and organophosphates can be found in the literature, there are no reports detailing a death due to phosphoric acid ingestion. We hope that presenting the findings in this case can aid death investigators in future cases that may involve ingestion of such a substance. After autopsy pH , phosphate and calcium ions concentration in the blood were analyzed. The cause of death was due to systemic effects: metabolic acidosis, hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, and hyperkalemia.