Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium containing liquid fertilizer intoxication presenting with extreme hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis and ECG changes

H Rendering; J Westerink; D Dekker; D W De Lange; Kah Kaasjager

Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium containing liquid fertilizer intoxication presenting with extreme hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis and ECG changes

Acute Med. 2023;22(3):163-164.

Authors

H Rendering¹, J Westerink², D Dekker³, D W De Lange⁴, Kah Kaasjager³

Affiliations

¹ MD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
² MD PhD, Department of Vascular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
³ MD PhD, Department of Emergency Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
⁴ MD PhD, Dutch Poisons Information Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, University Utrecht, The Netherlands.

PMID: 37746686

Abstract

Liquid fertilizers are widely used for fertilizing in- and outdoor vegetation. Despite the easy accessibility and widespread use, serious intoxications are rare. This case report describes a 61-year-old woman who was treated for life-threatening hyperkalemia, metabolic acidosis and ECG changes after intentional ingestion of liquid fertilizer. Our case shows that intake of liquid fertilizer, though infrequent, can cause serious, life threatening complications.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Acidosis* / chemically induced
Acidosis* / diagnosis
Electrocardiography
Female
Fertilizers
Humans
Hyperkalemia* / chemically induced
Hyperkalemia* / diagnosis
Hyperkalemia* / therapy
Middle Aged
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium

Substances

Fertilizers
Nitrogen
Phosphorus
Potassium