%0 Journal Article %T Rat poisoning: a challenging diagnosis with clinical and psychological implications %J Laboratory medicine %D 2018 %A Simmons, Sierra C. %A Taylor, Laura J. %A Marques, Marisa B. %A Williams, Lance A. %V 49 %N 3 %P 272-275 %X Rat poisoning should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a patient presenting with signs and symptoms of vitamin K deficiency without a more likely explanation. However, confirming this diagnosis may be difficult due to the varying sensitivities of available assays. A 40-year-old Caucasian woman presented to our hospital with chronic abdominal pain, hematuria, and a history of diarrhea of unknown etiology, despite an extensive work-up. Her laboratory evaluation results were consistent with vitamin K deficiency. Because she reported that she had not ingested warfarin, rat poisoning was suspected; however, the results of the first assay were negative. A second specimen was sent to another reference laboratory with a more sensitive assay, and the diagnosis of brodifacoum poisoning was confirmed. The patient was treated with oral vitamin K. If a patient presents with unexplained signs and symptoms of vitamin K deficiency, toxicological evaluation should be performed and repeat testing may be warranted, depending on the sensitivity of the original testing method.

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Language: en

%G en %I Lippincott Williams and Wilkins %@ 0007-5027 %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/labmed/lmx093