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Accidental poisoning of children in Japan: a report from the Japan Poison Information Center

K Goto1, Y Kuroki, S Shintani

  • 1Japan Poison Information Center, Tokyo.

Acta Paediatrica Japonica : Overseas Edition
|June 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

The Japan Poison Information Center (JPIC) handles 30,000 inquiries annually, primarily concerning young children exposed to household products. Japanese child poisoning cases show unique patterns compared to international data, influenced by lifestyle factors.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Public Health
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • The Japan Poison Information Center (JPIC) was established through collaboration among key medical organizations and the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
  • JPIC is the sole government-approved center for disseminating toxicological information to both healthcare professionals and the public in Japan.
  • The center operates 24/7 across two offices, managing approximately 30,000 inquiries each year.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends and characteristics of accidental childhood poisoning in Japan.
  • To compare Japanese poisoning data with that from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
  • To identify specific risk factors and common exposures in pediatric poisoning cases within Japan.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of inquiry data received by the Japan Poison Information Center (JPIC) for the fiscal year 1991.
  • Comparison of JPIC data with available statistics from the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC).
  • Categorization of poisoning incidents by age group, exposure source, and type of substance ingested.

Main Results:

  • Approximately 82% of JPIC inquiries originate from the general public, with 84% of patients being children aged five years or younger.
  • A significant proportion of child poison exposures in Japan involve household products, particularly among infants under one year of age.
  • Tobacco ingestion was identified as a notable cause of accidental poisoning in children.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood poisoning in Japan presents distinct epidemiological features, notably a high incidence of exposure to household products in infants.
  • Japanese lifestyle factors appear to contribute to differences in poisoning patterns when compared to data from the United States.
  • The findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies and public awareness campaigns specific to the Japanese context.

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