title: Pediatric fatality following ingestion of dinitrophenol: postmortem identification of a "dietary supplement".
abstract: Dinitrophenol, a chemical currently used as an insecticide, is known to uncouple mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. A component of explosives, it has also been used in the past as a food coloring and clothing dye. In the 1930s, physicians prescribed it for weight loss, but this practice was discontinued when reports of cataracts, deaths, and other adverse outcomes came to light. We describe in our report the overdose and fatality of a teenager who purchased the product as a weight loss dietary supplement by mail order. We also describe a laboratory method that allowed postmortem determination of the dinitrophenol concentration in the victim's serum. Her death, despite prompt medical treatment, underscores the danger of dinitrophenol. The easy accessibility and apparent resurgent interest in dinitrophenol as a weight loss agent is extremely timely and troubling.
authors: Section of Pediatric Emergency Medicine and Department of Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. allen.hsiao@yale.edu
authors: Allen L
authors: AL
authors: Hsiao
authors: Karen A
authors: KA
authors: Santucci
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Seo-Mayer
authors: M Rajan
authors: MR
authors: Mariappan
authors: Michael E
authors: ME
authors: Hodsdon
authors: Kenneth J
authors: KJ
authors: Banasiak
authors: Carl R
authors: CR
authors: Baum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000473:pathology; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D004140:Dinitrophenols / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D013405:Suicide; D014475:Uncoupling Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000506:poisoning*
chemical_list: D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents; D004140:Dinitrophenols; D005659:Fungicides, Industrial; D014475:Uncoupling Agents