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Poisoning

Poisoning in children is a major cause of illness

Introduction

Poisoning in children is a major cause of illness. 90% of poisoning cases occur at home. Toddlers are at higher risk for poisoning as their natural exploring and curiosity behaviour may result in ingestion.

Common sources of poisons in the household :

  • Kerosene and hydrocarbon (petrol)
  • Prescribed medicine
  • Insecticides, herbicides and pesticides
  • Detergents, polishes and caustics

What to do if your child has had contact with poisons?

  • Remove poisons from eyes, skin and mouth.
  • Always keep National Poison Centre telephone number (04-6570099) in a readily accessible place e.g. on fridge door.

Eyes

  • Gently wash eyes with plenty of tap water for at least 5 minutes with the eyelids held open.
  • Do not allow your child to rub the affected eye(s) .

Skin

  • Wash the poison off the skin with large volumes of water.
  • Remove contaminated clothing.

Mouth

  • Remove all tablets or powder from the child’s mouth.
  • Examine for any burns, cuts or irritation.

If exposed to gases or fumes :

  • Get child to fresh air.
  • Loosen all clothing.
  • If not breathing, clear the throat and start mouth-to- mouth respiration (CPR). Continue until help arrives.
  • If poison was ingested, go to the nearest hospital.
  • Do not induce vomiting in kerosene/ strong acid / alkali poisoning, and if patient is unconscious or having a fit.
  • Keep the child in a sideway position and clear all secretions from the mouth.
  • Take the child to the hospital with a sample of the poison.

Prevention

  • Supervise your children.
  • Keep medication / alcohol out of sight and out of reach of children.
  • Keep medication in child-resistant and labelled containers.
  • Give the right dose of medication.
  • Unused medication should be disposed off, thrown down the sink, buried or burnt.
  • Handle food with care – always wash hands before handling food, cook raw meats and eggs and rinse fruits and vegetables.
  • Educate your children regarding safety basics.
  • Avoid storing poisons in used ‘carbonated drinks’ bottles as children may mistake it for drinks.

Support group

National Poison Center
University Sains Malaysia
11800 Pulau Pinang
Tel : 04-6570099
Fax : 04-6568417
E-mail : prnnet@prn.usm.my

Last reviewed : 23 August 2019
Content Writer : Dr. Norraliza Md Zain
Reviewer : Dr. Mohamad Hamim b. Mohamad Hanifah

Related Article

Falls

Falls are the most common home accident in Malaysian children.

Drowning

Drowning can easily occur in infants and toddlers. They are not able to fully protect themselves such that drowning may occur in bathtubs, containers or pails. Pre-school children tend to drown in the drains, ditches, wells and pools. School children on the other hand tend to drown in streams, rivers and lake near their houses. In majority of the cases the main contributing factor is lack of adult supervision.

Road Safety

Children are often victims of many road traffic accidents (RTAs). They can be the pedestrians, passenger of a car or bus, or pillion rider. The severity of injuries sustained in RTAs varies. Motorcyclists and pillion riders were the commonest road users suffering from injuries and deaths in Malaysia.

ADDRESS

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62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia.

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2024-03-19 08:57:27
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