Inhalant abuse such as kerosene, petrol, gasoline, and typewriter correction fluid has been reported from India. Naphthalene or mothballs, a commonly used substance in households and freely available in the market is an uncommon form of inhalant abuse which may lead to severe medical complications. We report an adolescent with addiction to naphthalene balls who developed severe anemia.
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WeintraubE, GandhiD and RobinsonC. 2000. Medical complications due to mothball abuse. South Med J., 93: 427–429.
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SiegelE and WasonS. 1986. Mothball toxicity. Pediatr Clin North Am., 33: 369–374.
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GuptaR, SinghalP C, MuthusethupathyM A, MalikA K and ChughK S. 1979. Cerebral oedema and renal failure following naphthalene poisoning. J Assoc Physicians India., 27: 347–348.
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MackellJ V, RiedersF, BriegerH and BauerE L. 1951. Acute hemolytic anemia due to ingestion of naphthalene mothballs. Pediatrics., 7: 722–728.
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TrevisanA, Rossi di SchioM and PienoM. 2001. Haemolytic anaemia after oral self-giving of naphthalene-containing oil. J Appl Toxicol., 21: 393–396.
