Unintentional Household Poisoning in Children

Abstract

Despite the major reduction in fatal paediatric poisonings that has been achieved in industrialised countries over the last few decades, unintentional paediatric poisoning remains a major public health issue worldwide. In this article, we aim to provide clinicians dealing with poisoned children an overview of the problem and specific guidance on the identification and management of significant poisoning. Substances most frequently ingested by children in the developed world include household chemicals, medication, and plants. Although the great majority of such poisonings have no or limited clinical effects, it puts substantial burden on health care systems. Importantly, a few poisons can kill after ingestion of very small amounts. Unintentional poisoning in developing countries can be much more serious, following ingestion of kerosene, caustic agents, herbal remedies, insecticides or herbicides. Management of symptomatic patients involves supportive care, if available the administration of antidotes, and the removal of the offending drug from the body. Recent position papers on gastric decontamination indicate that such interventions are only rarely necessary. To further reduce the number of deaths and disabilities in the industrialised world and to begin to have an effect in the developing world, much more work is required to both identify and implement prevention strategies to reduce the number of cases of paediatric poisoning.

Analysis the Clinical Profile of children Admitted with Kerosene Poisoning in a tertiary care Medical College Hospital

“…Kerosene Poisoning is an important and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality the developing world 1,2 . Kerosene has been identified as the most common cause of accidental poisoning in various studies around the world [1][2][3][4][5][6] …”

Clinical Profile of Kerosene Poisoning in a Tertiary Level Hospital in Bangladesh

“…Ingestion of kerosene is the important causes of serious accidental poisonings in the developing world. 1,2 Kerosene has been identified as the most common cause of accidental poisoning in studies on children in South Africa, 3 West Bengal, 4 India 5 and Pakistan. 6,1,2 Inadequate legislation on the sale of kerosene allows it to be sold in unlabelled containers.…”

“…1,2 Kerosene has been identified as the most common cause of accidental poisoning in studies on children in South Africa, 3 West Bengal, 4 India 5 and Pakistan. 6,1,2 Inadequate legislation on the sale of kerosene allows it to be sold in unlabelled containers. 7 The pattern of poisoning varies in different areas and also with changing times.…”

Household Cleaning Product-Related Injuries Treated in US Emergency Departments in 1990–2006

“…In 2006, however, 10 318 children required some form of medical treatment as a result of poisoning attributable to exposure to household cleaners, and 744 of those children exhibited symptoms that were lifethreatening or that resulted in significant residual disability. 1,9 The Poison Prevention Packaging Act of 1970 was enacted by Congress and is enforced by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission; it requires that certain household substances (furniture polish, drain cleaners, and oven cleaners) be sold in child-resistant packaging. 10 In fact, child-resistant packaging is partially responsible for the decreased numbers of deaths resulting from pediatric poisoning in the United States.…”