What are the sequelae of nerve agent intoxication?
Patients with moderate to severe intoxication occasionally experience a relapse of weakness between days 1 and 4. This relapse has been termed the “intermediate syndrome.” It is treated with supportive care and typically resolves within 5 to 18 days. Because of this tendency of patients to relapse, it is prudent to keep patients in the hospital for up to four days after exposure. Patients with organophosphate pesticide toxicity may develop a severe polyneuropathy one to three weeks after exposure. It is believed, however, that the militarized nerve agents do not cause this sequela. Long-term cognitive sequelae, such as depression, psychomotor slowing, and memory impairment, have been described after nerve agent intoxication.
