Background: Rodenticide consumption is one of the most common suicidal poisoning. The compounds vary in their
chemical composition, mechanism of action, lethal dose and effects. Absence of a specific antidote along with rapid
deterioration to multi organ failure has escalated the mortality. This study is intended to predict the clinical profile
and the outcome of patients presenting to the ER of a tertiary care center in South India with acute rodenticide
poisoning.
Methods: A retrospective cross sectional analysis of all acute rodenticide poisoning cases presented to the ER of a
tertiary care centre in south India during the period between 1st January 2018 to 1st December 2019 after fulfilling
both inclusion and exclusion criteria was done. The clinical profile and outcome of patients presenting with acute
rodenticide poisoning were assessed.
Results: A total of 39 patients were included in the study population, of which 18(46.2%) were females and 21
(53.8%) were males. The mortality associated with rodenticide poisoning is 33.3%. Out of the 39 patients, 21 patients
had acute liver failure , 16 had met the Kings college criteria for liver transplant, but liver transplant was done in
only 2 patients and out of which 1 survived. On detailed analysis,two parameters SGOT, SGPT and the presence of
hepatic encephalopathy correlate with mortality.
Conclusion: The study revealed that, the mortality associated with rodenticide poisoning is high (33.3% ) and certain
factors like SGOT, SGPT and the presence of hepatic encephalopathy are strong predictors of mortality in acute
rodenticide poisoning.Keywords: Rodenticides; Acute liver failure; Kings College Criteria.