ACUTE RENAL FAILURE FOLLOWING POTASSIUM BROMATE (‘COLD WAVE’ NEUTRALIZER) POISONING

RECOVERY FROM PROLONGED OLIGURIA

Abstract

1) Seventy days peritoneal dialysis was performed for seven months in a thirty year old woman who was suffering from acute renal failure following ‘cold wave’ neutralizer (potassium bromate) poisoning. After twenty two days of total anuria and twenty days of oliguria, urine flow resumed and creatinine clearance increased to a level of 6.5ml/min. on the one hundred and twentyninth day. However, she needed periodic peritoneal dialysis. Mental disorder (schizophrenia) found out since the fourtieth day and loss of hearing disturbed the treatment. Finally she died of chronic renal failure on the two hundred and seventh day at a mental hospital.
2) Thirteen cases of potassium bromate poisoning were reported in Japan and seven cases died of renal failure (mortality rate, 54%).
3) Eight cases among fourteen survivors with prolonged oliguria for more than three weeks recovered renal function sufficient to maintain usual life.