Pediatric Toxic Ingestions | Pineville Pediatrics | Ballantyne Pediatrician

Pediatric Toxic Ingestions

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TOXIC INGESTIONS

One in 300 visits to a pediatric emergency room occurs by exposure to a potentially toxic substance. Sometimes, these toxic ingestions can compromise the life of the child or adolescent. Therefore, the response to an intoxicated pediatric patient must be quick and orderly, prioritizing the correct assessment and stabilization of the individual.

Accidental toxic ingestions are typical in children 1-5 years of age (peak incidence between 2 and 3 years). They are caused because children of these ages are too much curious.

Accidental intakes are usually associated with a product frequently used in the home.

Most of these intoxications are usually asymptomatic; therefore, they do not require much therapeutic intervention.

In severe cases, dangerous substances cause poisoning, and the best measure is to keep them out of the reach of children.

Accidental poisonings account for between 70-80% of pediatric poisonings and usually occur in kitchens or dining rooms of the house.

Dosing Errors Dosing errors occur in young children due to mistakes associated with mistakes of the adult administering the drug.

These poisonings involve medications common in childhood.

Dosing errors maintained over time are more dangerous than taking a single high dose.

VOLUNTARY INTOXICATIONS

These events are less frequent but more severe than accidental poisonings and are common among adolescents.

Often, voluntary toxic ingestions involve products such as alcohol, drugs of abuse, and painkillers.

Delay or avoidance of medical attention in these cases are more frequent than in accidental poisonings; therefore, the treatment can be more complex.

UNKNOWN SUBSTANCES

During involuntary poisonings among adolescents, toxins that are involved are unknown. Also, several medications have been taken, often accompanied by alcohol.

Therefore, most symptoms can be neurological, and they usually are decreased level of consciousness, drowsiness, instability, dilated pupils, skin redness, and any other findings. Also, it is important to check other signs like temperature, heart and respiratory rates, and blood pressure to try to identify a particular toxic syndrome.

GASTROINTESTINAL DECONTAMINATION WITH ACTIVATED CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal is the most common treatment when it comes to gastrointestinal decontamination.

And other decontamination techniques such as gastric lavage, the production of vomit, or the administration of cathartics are not more effective than activated charcoal.

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