Successful treatment of acute oral copper sulfate poisoning: a case report

The incidence of copper sulfate poisoning varies across different regions. It is relatively rare in Western countries but more prevalent in South Asian nations, accounting for approximately 40% of all heavy metal poisoning cases. The majority of affected individuals are rural residents, with a mortality rate ranging from 14% to 36%. Copper sulfate poisoning often leads to gastrointestinal corrosion, intravascular hemolysis, hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, and acute multi-organ dysfunction, often resulting in death due to delayed treatment. In June 2024, we successfully managed a case of acute oral copper sulfate poisoning through early interventions, including gastric lavage and sodium dimercaptopropane sulfonate (Na-DMPS) for copper chelation, resulting in the patient's recovery and discharge after 1 week.