Deadly ingestions.
More than 50% of the toxic-exposure calls to US poison centers involve children. Although most of these exposures are nontoxic, there are several products and medications that are widely available to the pediatric population that can lead to severe toxicity or even death. With some of these medications, death or severe symptoms can occur with the ingestion of only a small amount. It is important that the clinician be familiar with presenting signs and symptoms of potentially toxic ingestions and is able to initiate a therapeutic and life-saving intervention. This article reviews some of the deadlier ingestions that children may be exposed to.
Emergency Medicine Department, Saint John's Hospital, Maplewood, MN 55109-1169, USA.
Keith
K
Henry
Carson R
CR
Harris
D000438:Alcohols / Q000506:poisoning; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000506:poisoning; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / Q000506:poisoning; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000506:poisoning; D002648:Child; D002669:Child Welfare; D003000:Clonidine / Q000506:poisoning; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012459:Salicylates / Q000506:poisoning; D014481:United States
D000438:Alcohols; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000929:Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D012459:Salicylates; D003000:Clonidine