Unintentional household poisoning in children
S Meyer1, M Eddleston, B Bailey
1Poison Control Centre, University Children's Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany. sascha.meyer@uniklinik-saarland.de
Insights
Unintentional paediatric poisoning is a global health concern, despite reductions in developed nations. Prevention strategies are crucial to reduce deaths and disabilities worldwide, especially in developing countries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Public Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Unintentional paediatric poisoning persists as a significant global public health issue, despite advancements in industrialized nations.
- Commonly ingested substances by children include household chemicals, medications, and plants, posing a burden on healthcare systems.
- Certain poisons can be lethal even in small quantities, highlighting the severity of the problem.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide clinicians with an overview of paediatric poisoning.
- To offer guidance on identifying and managing significant poisoning cases in children.
- To emphasize the need for enhanced prevention strategies globally.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and clinical guidelines on paediatric poisoning.
- Analysis of common poisoning agents and their effects in developed and developing countries.
- Discussion of management strategies, including supportive care, antidotes, and gastric decontamination.
Main Results:
- While most poisonings have minor effects, a few substances are highly toxic and can be fatal.
- Poisoning in developing countries often involves more dangerous agents like kerosene, caustics, and pesticides.
- Gastric decontamination is rarely indicated based on recent evidence.
Conclusions:
- Paediatric poisoning requires ongoing attention and effective management strategies.
- Implementing targeted prevention initiatives is essential to reduce mortality and morbidity.
- Further research and collaboration are needed to address paediatric poisoning in both industrialized and developing regions.
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.
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