Pancytopenia in Epidemic Dropsy: A Case Report

This case report describes a family from Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India, affected by epidemic dropsy due to consumption of mustard oil contaminated with argemone oil. The family experienced severe symptoms, including dyspnea, pedal edema, and in some cases, death. Three family members were hospitalized with classical features of epidemic dropsy, all presenting with pancytopenia, acute kidney injury (AKI), reticular hyperpigmented rash, and non-cardiogenic edema. One patient had increased severity due to an underlying heart condition, and another experienced hair loss. The contamination was confirmed through chemical tests, and patients showed improvement with conservative management, with AKI resolving in an average of 45 days. This report is notable for being the first to document pancytopenia in all cases within a single family outbreak of epidemic dropsy.