title: [Ingestion of undesirable substances by children].
abstract: A retrospective study extending over five years was made of the consequences of ingestion of undesirable substances by children. Despite the publicity on this subject it remains a serious medical problem. An annual average of 90 children were seen in the emergency department. Complications are caused mostly by oil products but also by drugs and household products. On average 55% of the children were hospitalized. With regard to the indication for endoscopical examination of the oesophagus and stomach after ingestion of caustic substances, insufficient arguments for performance of this examination in all children were found in the literature. We advocate a prospective study of this question. With regard to the indication for hospitalization of children after ingestion of tobacco, we are of the opinion that many children may be kept under observation in their homes after being watched for one hour.
authors.forename: V R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Drexhage
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Sukhai
mesh_terms: D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology; D002424:Caustics / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004947:Esophagus / Q000293:injuries; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010578:Petroleum / Q000009:adverse effects; D010947:Plants, Toxic; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014026:Nicotiana
chemical_list: D002424:Caustics; D010578:Petroleum
vernacular_title: Ingestie van ongewenste stoffen door kinderen.