Epidemic of haemorrhagic disease in Vietnamese infants caused by warfarin-contaminated talcs.

In August, 1981, paediatric hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), Vietnam, began to report cases of a haemorrhagic syndrome in infants. The cause of this haemorrhagic phenomenon was identified as talcum powder contaminated with the anticoagulant warfarin. Analysis of talcum powders revealed warfarin in concentrations between 1.7% and 6.5%. 741 cases were detected and 177 patients died. The possibility of accidental contamination or substitution of a perfuming agent by warfarin can be rejected. In an experiment with two baboons, the animal exposed to the contaminated talc died five days later from haemorrhage. The accident and the animal study demonstrate the significant transcutaneous uptake of the anticoagulant.