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Updated: Mar 26, 2026
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High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents HPHC
Published on: May 10, 2016
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Human bromethalin exposures reported to a U.S. Statewide Poison Control System
Serena Huntington1, Yelena Fenik2, Rais Vohra1,3
1a California Poison Control System , School of Pharmacy, University of California (UCSF) , San Francisco , CA , USA ;
Clinical Toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.)
|February 11, 2016
Summary
Accidental bromethalin ingestion in children typically results in minor, self-limited symptoms. Most pediatric cases of bromethalin exposure show no adverse effects, indicating a good prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Bromethalin is a widely used rodenticide, often chosen over older anticoagulants.
- Limited data exists on human bromethalin exposure and its medical management.
- This study reviews human bromethalin exposures reported to the California Poison Control System (CPCS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize bromethalin exposures in humans reported to the CPCS.
- To identify demographic, clinical, and outcome data for bromethalin ingestions.
- To inform medical management guidelines for bromethalin poisoning.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational case review of CPCS electronic medical records (1997-2014).
- Inclusion criteria: single-substance, human exposure to bromethalin.
- Data extraction included demographics, clinical presentation, laboratory results, and outcomes.
Main Results:
- 129 human bromethalin exposures were identified; 126 met inclusion criteria.
- The majority of exposures (70.6%) occurred in children under 5 years old.
- Most patients experienced no effects (89.7%) or minor, self-limited gastrointestinal upset (7.9%); no severe outcomes were reported.
Conclusions:
- Accidental bromethalin ingestions generally have an excellent prognosis, especially in children.
- Bromethalin exposures may lead to more symptomatic cases than long-acting anticoagulants.
- Heightened awareness of bromethalin toxicity is recommended for healthcare providers managing rodenticide exposures.
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