The pattern of childhood poisoning in the western Cape.
An analysis of poisoning cases treated at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital during 1987 and of calls received on the poisons line is presented. Treatment of 1,116 children was undertaken and 922 telephone calls were logged. Of the patients treated, 60% had ingested a drug and 30% had drunk paraffin. The high prevalence of paraffin poisoning in the western Cape is examined. Constant vigilance must be maintained if childhood poisoning is to be prevented.
Roberts
J C
JC
Institute of Child Health, University of Cape Town.
Leary
P M
PM
Mann
M D
MD
Glasstone
M
M
D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology