Acute Intravascular Hemolysis and Methemoglobinemia following Naphthalene ball Poisoning.

Naphthalene (C10H8) is a natural component of fossil fuels such as petroleum, diesel and coal. The common consumer products made from naphthalene are moth repellents, in the form of mothballs or crystals, and toilet deodorant blocks. It is also used for making dyes, resins, leather tanning agents, and the insecticide carbaryl1. Naphthalene itself is a strong oxidizing agent, leading to formation of free oxygen radicals, which in turn cause erythrocyte membrane damage. It also leads to depletion of glutathione, a major reducing agent which protects erythrocyte from damaging effects of various oxidants.Major toxic effects of naphthalene are due to precipitation of acute intravascular hemolysis. Naphthalene poisoning has been commonly reported in children who accidently suck or chew the moth balls. Very few cases of naphthalene poisoning and its effects have been reported from India,. We report a case of accidental naphthalene poisoning, who presented with intravascular hemolysis and methemoglobinemia.