Acute, unintentional pediatric brodifacoum ingestions

Brodifacoum is the major rodenticide used in the United States today. It is similar to warfarin but has more potent and prolonged effects. Large overdoses and chronic intoxication have been associated with significant coagulopathies and death. Currently, the management of acute unintentional ingestions by young children is controversial.

American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) data from 1993 to 1996 were retrospectively searched for acute, unintentional brodifacoum exposures without coingestions followed-up to a known outcome in children aged 6 years and younger. The cases were analyzed by management site, symptoms, therapy, and outcome. Cases coded as having clinical or laboratory evidence of coagulopathy were further evaluated for severity.

Our study reviewed 10,762 cases that involved single, acute, unintentional ingestions of brodifacoum. All of the patients were followed-up to a known outcome as defined by AAPCC data collection standards. In this cohort, there were no deaths or major effects reported. Although 67 patients reported evidence of coagulopathy, no major effects or deaths were reported. Minor and moderate effects were reported in 38 and 54 children, respectively. Management occurred outside of a healthcare facility in 5404 (50.2 %) cases. Approximately half of all the children received some form of gastrointestinal decontamination. Decontamination had no effect on the distribution of outcomes. Adverse effects from decontamination therapy were reported in 42 patients.

Acute pediatric ingestions of brodifacoum rarely caused clinical effects and were not associated with life-threatening symptoms or death in young children. It seems reasonable that acute unintentional ingestions of small quantities of brodifacoum by young children can be adequately managed with home observation and parent education.