title: The epidemiology of poisonings in infants <6 months of age.
abstract: Contrary to popular belief, children that are less than six months of age are the common victims of unintentional poisoning. The purpose of this study was to examine the profile of poisoning exposures of children as they matriculate through their first six months of life by examining actual exposure data from a certified regional poison information center. Data analysis revealed that adult caregivers were responsible for the majority of exposures in children 0-3 months of age as a consequence of medication administration errors. Due to enhanced motor skills, children from 4-6 months of age frequently exposed themselves to potential poisons that were within their grasp. Parents and caregivers need to be educated proactively by health care professionals to prevent unintentional poisoning exposures in children less than six months of age.
authors.affiliation: Pittsburgh Poison Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA.
authors.forename: Denise A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Kuspis
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mrvos
authors.forename: Edward P
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Krenzelok
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D017028:Caregivers; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010290:Parents; D010939:Plant Poisoning; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D035781:Siblings; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology