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Syrup of ipecac in children less than one year of age
Insights
Syrup of ipecac emesis is safe for infants under one year old. This study found no complications like aspiration in young children receiving syrup of ipecac for poisoning treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Syrup of ipecac was commonly used for emesis induction in poisoning cases.
- Concerns existed regarding the safety of emesis induction in infants under 12 months of age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To prospectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of syrup of ipecac-induced emesis in children under one year of age.
- To determine if adverse complications arise from using syrup of ipecac in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 24 children under 12 months of age who received syrup of ipecac (10 ml) with fluids.
- Patients were recruited from poison center cases.
- Onset of emesis and any adverse events were monitored.
Main Results:
- All 24 children successfully vomited after a single dose of syrup of ipecac.
- No adverse sequelae, including aspiration or prolonged emesis, were observed.
- The average time to emesis onset was 26.10 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Syrup of ipecac can be safely administered to induce emesis in children less than one year of age.
- Emesis induction with syrup of ipecac is not contraindicated in this young pediatric population.
- The study challenges the popular belief regarding contraindications for emesis in infants.
Abstract:
A prospective study was conducted to determine if children less than one year of age developed any complications from syrup of ipecac-induced emesis. All patients in the study were derived from cases received by the poison center. Syrup of ipecac (10 ml) was administered with clear fluids to 24 children less than twelve months of age (mean age 8.7 months; median age 9.0 months; range 3.0-12.0). The average time for the onset of emesis was 26.10 minutes. All children vomited with a single dose of syrup of ipecac. No adverse sequelae such as aspiration or prolonged episodes of emesis were observed. Contrary to the popular belief that emesis may be contraindicated in children less than twelve months of age, we believe that emesis can be safely induced in the home setting in these young children.