Report of eight children with amitraz intoxication

Abstract

Many pesticides are formulated in organic solvents. An example is amitraz, one of the formamidine groups of pesticidal chemicals. It is commonly used for the treatment of generalized demodicosis in dogs and for the control of ticks and mites in cattle and sheep. In this article, the clinical and laboratory findings of eight children with amitraz intoxication are reviewed. The purpose was to enlighten the findings of amitraz intoxication in children. Of the eight patients, five (62.5%) were boys, three (37.5%) were girls, and the ages ranged from 1 to 4 years. All children accidentally ingested amitraz orally, with no dermal exposure. The most common observed signs were decreased consciousness and bradycardia. Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, hypernatremia, increased serum aspartate transaminase level, and prolonged partial prothrombin time were diagnosed in children. None of the children had hypothermia, hypotension, or convulsion and none of the patients died. The findings show that the initial signs and symptoms of acute amitraz intoxication appeared severe but they disappeared, with only supportive care needed in most cases within a few days.