Classification of Vale et al for the Severity Acute Paraquat Intoxication

Vale et al classified the severity of acute paraquat poisoning based on the amount ingested and the clinical syndrome.

Amount Ingested	Clinical Syndrome	Severity	Group
< 20 mg per kg body weight	asymptomatic, or gastro-intestinal (vomiting and diarrhea)	mild	1
20 to 40 mg per kg body weight	vomiting and diarrhea, renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, eventually pulmonary fibrosis	moderate to severe	2
> 40 mg per kg body weight	multiple organ failure, including cardiogenic shock	fulminant	3

where:

• I assume that ideal body weight should be used for the dose calculation.

Group	Outcome
1	full recovery
2	usually fatal (in days to weeks)
3	always fatal in 1 to 7 days

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