Citation

Hsiao AL, Santucci KA, Seo-Mayer P, Mariappan MR, Hodsdon ME, Banasiak KJ, Baum CR. Clin. Toxicol. (Phila) 2005; 43(4): 281-285.

Affiliation

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

Comment In:

Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006;44(3):351.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16035205

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.

Language: en