Titre du document / Document title

Toxic encephalopathy associated with use of DEET insect repellents: a case analysis of its toxicity in children

Auteur(s) / Author(s)

BRIASSOULIS G. ⁽¹⁾ ; NARLIOGLOU M. ⁽¹⁾ ; HATZIS T. ⁽¹⁾ ;

Affiliation(s) du ou des auteurs / Author(s) Affiliation(s)

⁽¹⁾ Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital, Levadias and Thivon Street, Athens 11527, GRECE

Résumé / Abstract

(1) Respiratory distress and seizures developed in an 18-month-old boy following brief exposure to low-strength (17.6%) N,N- diethyl -m - toluamide (DEET). A review ofthe literature revealed 17 reports of DEET-induced encephalopathy in children. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that the potential toxicity of DEET is high and that available repellents containing DEET, irrespective of their strength, are not safe when applied to children's skin. (2) Although this is a case report, we used the features of published reports of DEET- induced encephalopathy in children to support the diagnosis, since the evidence that the child's illness was caused by DEET was circumstantial. In the following case analysis, clinical reports of children < 16 years old have been reviewed and analyzed in an effort to relate direct DEET toxicity to various clinical, demographic, and toxic compound exposure factors (Fisher's exact test and logistic regression analysis). (3) DEET-induced encephalopathy in children (56% girls ) followed not only ingestion or repeated and extensive application of repellents, but also a brief exposure to DEET (45%). Of those who reported a dermal exposure, 33% reported an exposure to a product containing DEET < 20%. Seizures, the most prominent symptom (72%), were significantly more frequent when DEET solutions were applied to the skin (P<0.01). Mortality (16.6%) did not correlate significantly with the concentration of the DEET liquid used, duration of skin exposure, pattern of use, age, or sex. (4) Data of this case analysis suggest that repellents containing DEET are not safe when applied to children's skin and should be avoided in children. Additionally, since the potential toxicity of DEET is high, less toxic preparations should be probably substituted forDEET-containingrepellents, wheneverpossible.

Revue / Journal Title

Human & experimental toxicology   ISSN 0960-3271 

Source / Source

2001, vol. 20, n^o1, pp. 8-14 (42 ref.)

Langue / Language

Anglais

Editeur / Publisher

Arnold, London, ROYAUME-UNI  (1990) (Revue)

Mots-clés anglais / English Keywords

Repellent ; Insecta ; Diethyltoluamide ; Toxicity ; Case study ; Respiratory distress ; Convulsion ; Infant ; Encephalopathy ; Child ; Arthropoda ; Invertebrata ; Human ; Nervous system diseases ; Respiratory disease ;

Mots-clés français / French Keywords

Répulsif ; Insecta ; Diéthyltoluamide ; Toxicité ; Etude cas ; Détresse respiratoire ; Convulsion ; Nourrisson ; Encéphalopathie ; Enfant ; Arthropoda ; Invertebrata ; Homme ; Système nerveux pathologie ; Appareil respiratoire pathologie ;

Mots-clés espagnols / Spanish Keywords

Repulsivo ; Insecta ; Dietiltoluamida ; Toxicidad ; Estudio caso ; Trastorno respiratorio ; Convulsión ; Lactante ; Encefalopatía ; Niño ; Arthropoda ; Invertebrata ; Hombre ; Sistema nervioso patología ; Aparato respiratorio patología ;

Localisation / Location

INIST-CNRS, Cote INIST : 19290, 35400009519894.0020