Unintentional household poisoning due to rodenticide in a child

Abstract

Introduction: The household poisoning is a major problem in India, and the awareness of these poisons among the people is meager and sometimes they ignorant and careless regarding these poisons. The various types of rat killer or rodenticides used in household, and their improper usage and safety may pose serious health issues. The rat killer poisoning with phosphide, warfarin, and superwarfarin are increasing day by day. Case report: A three years old boy unintentionally consumed rat killer paste, when his mother was out of the house. He had complaints of nausea and vomiting, and he admitted in a primary health care center. Then he was referred to tertiary care center and during the treatment he developed the features of acute renal failure and hepatotoxicity due to the rat killer poison and succumbed on a second day of admission. The features of rat killer poison that is zinc phosphide were evident on thorough autopsy examination, clinical findings, and ancillary examinations. Discussion: There is a need for proper preventive and treatment strategies to reduce the number of exposures, morbidity and mortality due to household poisons including rat killer poisons. In medical practice identifying the rat killer poisoning cases, their proper management, and its medicolegal aspects are very important.