Poison exposures and use of ipecac in children less than 1 year old.
Poison exposures in children less than 1 year old and the safety and efficacy of syrup of ipecac in children 9 to 12 months old were evaluated in a prospective eight-month study conducted at the Massachusetts Poison Control Center. Poison exposures in children less than 1 year old represented approximately 9% of the 38,080 calls received. Mobile children (in walkers, crawling, or walking) were at the greatest risk of poisoning. The majority of children (94%) were asymptomatic and none were hospitalized or died. The products involved were primarily plants (38%) and  household products (30%). All 21 patients, ages 9 to 12 months, were given 10 mL syrup of ipecac under medical supervision and vomited within one hour. The mean time to vomit was 21.7 (SEM +/- 2.8) minutes. The patients vomited 3.3 (SEM +/- 0.3) times and all episodes of vomiting abated by 26.4 (SEM +/- 6.6) minutes. No significant side effects were noted. The use of the syrup of ipecac in the 9- to 12-month-old child appears to be safe and effective.
Gaudreault
P
P
McCormick
M A
MA
Lacouture
P G
PG
Lovejoy
F H
FH
D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007486:Ipecac / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D008297:Male; D010939:Plant Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
D007486:Ipecac