Abstract

Coumarin-derived rodenticides are currently the most popular pesticides to control rodents. The accidental ingestion (AI) of these compounds in pediatric patients is frequently a reason for consultations. This is a descriptive retrospective study based on data gathered from the medical records (MRs) of patients seen on-site at the “Superiora Sor María Ludovica” Interzonal Acute Hospital Specialized in Pediatrics in the course of 6 years and 9 months. For this study, 139 MRs of patients between 0 and 14 years of age seen in the Emergency Service and in outpatient care were considered. None of the patients showed at the time of admission signs or symptoms compatible with hemorrhage or irregularities in their coagulation tests, except for two patients. In line with the bibliography consulted, most AI in pediatrics do not have any relevant clinical effect. There is no formal prescription for complementary biochemical studies for patients under 6 years of age with AI of coumarin rodenticides. By means of a thorough anamnesis, the physician will be able to detect those patients that require special care, coagulograms and clinical monitoring with alarm instructions aimed at the appearance of bleedings.