BACKGROUND: The clandestine sale of chemical substances, such as rodenticides, is a manifestation of poverty and social exclusion. It reflects the effects of economic inequality, which, in turn, establishes consumption patterns. The rodenticides acquired in these circumstances are accessible, have an efficient distribution channel, the sellers sponsor them effectively and their price is low. On the other hand, they imply a potentially lethal health problem due to content, falsification, adulteration and inadequate or absent labeling. This manuscript places in perspective the complex work of the pediatrician before scenarios of this magnitude.

CLINICAL CASES: Two non-lethal clinical cases are presented in previously healthy children who ingested unlabeled rodenticidal products obtained from illegal street vendors; the first case with intoxication due to difethialone, second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (intoxication is reported in 2 children in the literature). The second case presented intoxication by carbofuran and developed a cholinergic toxin syndrome (there are limited bibliographic reports in children). Tools to make diagnostic and therapeutic decisions based on the available literature are shown.

CONCLUSIONS: From this work it is concluded that the significant advances in medicine and the tools of diagnosis and treatment are always complementary to the social responsibility of the Pediatrician in the Emergency Department; It corresponds to recognize the clinical and social problem, warn the population about the lethal risks of the products acquired by clandestine sale and the mechanisms to prevent them.

KEY WORDS: Rodenticides; Child; Difethialone; Carbofuran; Socioeconomic factors; Emergency service, Hospital; Cholinergic agents.