7/28/2019 Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable Condition
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/common-household-poisonings-in-children-a-preventable-condition 1/5
Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable
Condition
Dr Bharat Choudhary
Consultant, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, UCC
Parents often think that home is safest place for children. But there are so many
things in the house for daily use which could be dangerous to children. Inherent
tendency of infants and toddlers to direct the things from hand to mouth increase
the possibility of the same. Over a year in USA, poison center receive 3.6 million
calls of such incident, means every eight second one call, so this is quite clear that
it is not uncommon. For parent information, describing about few such common
household poisons, their effects and methods of prevention.
Common Household poisons-
With increasing number of different chemicals used in home, list of possible
household poisons are also increasing. As said by Paracelsus (Father of toxicology)
that – ‘’All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits
something not to be poisonous.’’ There is long list of chemicals used on day today
basis which can be dangerous for children if taken in significant amount. For
example-Pharmaceuticals (pain killers, antiepiletics, antidiabetics, vitamins, iron
preparations), hydrocarbons (kerosene, petrol, thinner), cleansers, pesticides, rat
killers, cosmetics , plants and much more.
The great majority of such poisonings have no or limited clinical effects. Many of
such children require only observation but a few poisons can kill after ingestion of
very small amounts. Unintentional poisoning can be much more serious following
ingestion of kerosene, caustic agents, herbal remedies, insecticides or herbicides.
Management of symptomatic patients involves supportive care, if available the
administration of antidotes, and the removal of the offending drug from the body.
Common poisonings, their effect and initial management
S.N
O
Poison System
affected
Line of
Treatmen
t
1 Pain killer
( paracetamol)
liver and
biliary
system –
liver
failure
Gastric
lavage, N
acetyl
cystiene
7/28/2019 Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable Condition
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/common-household-poisonings-in-children-a-preventable-condition 2/5
2 Kerosene Chemical
pneumonit
is with
acute
respiratory
distresssyndrome
Observatio
n , chest x-
ray and
monitoring
3 After shave,
perfumes,
alcohols
CNS and
respiratory
depression
,
hypoglyce
mia
Observatio
n, glucose
monitoring
, IVF
4 Bleach Esophagea
l injury ,acidosis
IVF,
observation
5 Detergents Esophagea
l injuries,
chemical
pneumonit
is
Observatio
n
6 Nail paint
remover
Mucosal
injuries,
respiratory
depression
, CNS
depression
observatio
n
7 Rat Killer Coagulatio
n system
Vit K ,
observatio
n,
coagulatio
n study
8 Camphor CNS
irritant ,
seizures
Gastric
lavage,
antiepilepti
cs,
observatio
n
9 Pesticides
(Organophosphor
Vomiting,
diarrhea,
Gastric
Lavage,
7/28/2019 Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable Condition
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/common-household-poisonings-in-children-a-preventable-condition 3/5
ous) seizures PAM,
hospital
admission
10 Iron Preparations Hepatic
Dysfunctio
n, renal
dysfunctio
n
Gastric
lavage,
Observatio
n,
Deferoximi
ne
Who is at most risk?
Usually toddlers 1-3 years are more prone for such accidents because they are they
are extremely curious and active they tend to put everything in their mouths their
taste buds and sense of smell aren’t developed to warn them that a substance is
dangerous because it tastes or smells awful.
How does it happen?
It happens mostly when this chemical is in use and children started playing around
them unattended. When they are not properly placed after their use and also when
they are not disposed well.
What to do?
If you suspect your child has eaten something which is not to be eaten then
- Don’t wait for your child to be more sick
- Don’t panic, remain calm.
- Nearest Urgent Care Hospital - 1800–208-1188 ( Toll Free)
- Call National Poisoning center (AIIMS Poison cell) 26593677, 26589391,
26583282
Trained professionals will answer your queries, and help to determine the
seriousness of a poisoning, and give specific advice on how to deal with the
incident. While talking to these centers please be ready to answer common
questions like -
• The age and weight of the child, since toxicity usually is based on these
factors
• When the child was exposed
• How much the child ate, drank, or spilled
7/28/2019 Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable Condition
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/common-household-poisonings-in-children-a-preventable-condition 4/5
• The child’s general health status
• Whether the child has any signs or symptoms
• What actions have already been taken
• Keep the container near you and read out the content ( either exact brand
name, or active ingredient)
• This information is very vital in assisting you and providing proper medical
advice.
Don’t DO’s for parents
• If any child accidently taken some household poison and swallowed, the most
common mistake parent does is putting fingers in the mouth and try to
extract it or make the child vomit. This is very dangerous practice; it does
more harm than benefit. This will may lead to pushing the solid object more
deeper may be in respiratory tract or if vomiting happens that may increase
the chance of aspiration and further complications ,and if fingers goes more
deeper it can injure oral mucosa also. So attempt to remove the poison
should only be done if it is solid and not deep into oral cavity and can be
easily removed by fingers.
• Do not give anything by mouth unless advised
How to prevent such Mishappening?
Prevention of such incident can be done by proper storage, use and disposal of these harmful chemicals. Even after taking all the precaution such incidents do
happen, so parents should know basic first aid and how to access the poison center.
(write to [email protected] if you want to learn first aid )
Following are the basic steps to avoid such incident-
Store toxic products out of reach of children
Medications, Pesticides, house cleansers and other toxic substances should be kept
in shelves at least six feet and above.
Keep products in their original containers
Do not keep medications, chemicals, house cleansers, pesticides in food or
beverage container or vice versa. This commonly happen at home, that after
medicine or chemical got over they use empty container for storing other
substances or liquids which other person or children does not know and leads to
unintentional poisoning.
7/28/2019 Common Household poisonings in children- A Preventable Condition
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/common-household-poisonings-in-children-a-preventable-condition 5/5
Keep labels on containers
Label all the containers with name of the product they contain presently and
remove the old labels if you are using the container for storing other substance then
it was containing originally.
Never combine products
Do not mix household cleansers together because certain combinations can be
explosive or can produce toxic fumes.
• Never give medication to children meant for adult.
• Be aware of all kind of medication used in home
• Never refer medication as candy or taste like candy to children
•
Always put medications away immediately after use, out of reach and sight,preferably locked away.
• Ensure the cap’s child resistant closure is working correctly after each use.
• Use wax block rat baits, preferably those enclosed in plastic bait stations.
• Don’t leave brushes to soak in mineral turpentine. Clean them immediately or
keep them out of sight and reach of children until you can clean them
properly.
• Educate your children about the potential harm of common household
substances
So to summarize, unintentional household poisonings are common but preventable
and if taken appropriate steps timely serious and long term complications can
avoided.
For more blogs and write ups like this visit www.urgentcare.co.in
Top Related