- © 2004 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors
Robert Nevin cites 2 studies on the effects of DEET in rats1,2 without mentioning the most important variable in such research, the dose applied. Many compounds, including water, will cause toxic effects if given in large enough doses. In both studies cited by Nevin, the doses given were astronomical (between 4 and 400 mg/kg body weight), but these doses are not relevant to the use of DEET in humans. In contrast, the findings from several studies in rodents, such as that by Schoenig and colleagues,3 have not concurred with the results obtained by Abdel-Rahman and associates1 or Abou-Donia and collaborators.2
The anxiety regarding the toxic effects of DEET in young children has stemmed from a small number of widely publicized case reports of acute seizures in toddlers, as cited in our article.4 However, our analysis suggests that an association between the seizures and use of DEET is unlikely.4 To the best of our knowledge, no similar claim has been made regarding chronic neurotoxicity of DEET in children, and no published clinical data have been presented to support such a possibility.
Gideon Koren Professor of Pediatrics, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Medicine and Medical Genetics University of Toronto Toronto, Ont.