Diagnosis and management of the poisoned child.
Pediatric toxic ingestions are treated commonly by pediatricians and emergency physicians. Significant injury after these ingestions is infrequent, but identifying the dangerous ingestion is sometimes a difficult task. By performing a detailed history, focused physical examination, and directed laboratory evaluation, an estimation of risk can be developed. This article introduced the term "toxic triage" to describe this process. The toxic triage estimation allows the clinician to make thoughtful decontamination and treatment decisions. Familiarity with the literature supporting or refuting each decontamination method allows educated decisions to be made. Supportive care is an integral part of treatment for all poisonings, from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Most antidotes are used rarely in clinical practice, but familiarity with common antidotes benefits those patients with specific hazardous ingestions. Prevention efforts have the potential to decrease the incidence of pediatric poisonings. The universal poison control center number provided should be distributed and posted in homes, clinics, and emergency departments.
Barry
J Dave
JD
Medical Toxicology Consulation Service, Department of Emergency Medicine, Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-6200, USA. jdave.barry@us.army.mil
D000931:Antidotes / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002606:Charcoal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004639:Emetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005751:Gastric Lavage; D006801:Humans; D007486:Ipecac / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008487:Medical History Taking; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D011042:Poisons / Q000145:classification / Q000633:toxicity; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*; D014218:Triage
D000931:Antidotes; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004639:Emetics; D011042:Poisons; D002606:Charcoal; D007486:Ipecac