Prognosis

Most adult deaths occur in patients whose concentrations exceed 700 mg/L (5.1 mmol/L).[2][9] Patients are more likely to die if they are aged over 70 years, or if they develop coma, convulsions, confusion, agitation, hyperpyrexia, pulmonary oedema, or metabolic acidosis.[2][9]

Substantial clinical signs and symptoms, particularly neurological signs and non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema, can be present with lower levels of salicylate, particularly in cases of chronic ingestions. Therefore, salicylate level alone is not a reliable predictor of outcome.

Non-fatal salicylate poisoning is associated with a full recovery.[7]

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