[Poisoning accidents with household chemicals among children in the period 1993-2002 compared with the period 1980-1992].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was, in order to help prevent poisoning accidents in the future, to see if the pattern of poisoning accidents involving household chemicals among children changed in the Odense area in the period 1993-2002 compared to the period 1980-1992.


METHODS
A review is presented of the registration of all poisoning accidents among children aged 0-6 years treated at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, during the period 1993-2003. The results are compared to results from the period 1980-1992.


RESULTS
There were 1,426 poisoning accidents, of which 396 were accidents involving household chemicals. 369 of the accidents involving household chemicals were in the age group 0-3 years and 27 in the age group 4-6 years. We did not find any decrease in the number of accidents when we compared it with the number occurring in the previous 10 years. Most of the accidents took place in the home.


CONCLUSIONS
It is necessary to continue with campaigns to prevent accidents involving household chemicals among children. It is parents' responsibility to ensure that chemicals are kept out of the reach of children.
Johannsen
Hans Gad
HG
Odense Universitetshospital, Ulykkes Analyse Gruppen og Ortopaedkirurgisk Afdeling O. hans.dorte@dadlnet.dk
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006795:Household Products / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*