title: Bittering agents in the prevention of accidental poisoning: children's reactions to denatonium benzoate (Bitrex).
abstract: The responses of young children to Denatonium Benzoate (Bitrex) were observed, in order to assess the potential of this bittering agent in the prevention of accidental poisoning. Thirty-three children aged 17-36 months were offered orange juice containing Bitrex (in a concentration of 10 parts per million). Of the 30 children who took some of this juice, only seven were willing to take more than 10 gm. A variety of negative verbal and non-verbal responses were noted. It is suggested that the highly unpalatable nature of Bitrex makes this compound a useful additive that could well prevent accidental poisoning from household products of mild to moderate toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, University of Wales College of Medicine, Llandough Hospital.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sibert
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frude
mesh_terms: D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005421:Flavoring Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D002666:Psychology, Child; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D005421:Flavoring Agents; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C043414:denatonium