POISONING Dr,bahareh vard

ETIOLOGY AND EPIDEMIOLOGY The most common agents ingested by young children include cosmetics, personal care products, analgesics, and cleaning solutions. Fatal childhood poisonings are commonly caused by analgesics, antihistamines, sedative/hypnotics Most ingestions occur at home (91%) and are single substance (90%).

CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS Any child who presents with unexplained symptoms including altered mental status, seizure, cardiovascular compromise,or metabolic abnormality should be considered to have ingested a poison until proven otherwise.

Determination of all substances that the child was exposed to, type of medication, amount of medication, and time of exposure is crucial in directing interventions. Available data often are incomplete or inaccurate, requiring a careful physical examination and laboratory approach.

A poisoned child can exhibit any one of six basic clinical patterns: Coma toxicity metabolic acidosis heart rhythm aberrations gastrointestinal symptoms seizures

Direct Toxicity Hydrocarbon ingestion occasionally may result in systemic toxicity, but more often it leads to pulmonary toxicity. Hydrocarbons pose the greatest risk of producing aspiration pneumonia; however, when swallowed, they pose no risk unless emesis is induced. Emesis or lavage should not be initiated in a child who has ingested volatile hydrocarbons.

Caustic ingestions may cause dysphagia, epigastric pain,oral mucosal burns, and low-grade fever. Treatment depends on the agent ingested and the presence or absence of esophageal injury. Liquid agents are tasteless and produce full-thickness liquefaction necrosis of the esophagus or oropharynx. When the esophageal lesions heal, strictures form. Ingestion of these agents also creates a long-term risk of esophageal carcinoma. Treatment includes antibiotics if there are signs of infection and dilation of late-forming (2 to 3 weeks later) strictures

Ingested button batteries also may produce a caustic mucosal injury Ingested button batteries also may produce a caustic mucosal injury. Batteries that remain in the esophagus may cause esophageal burns and erosion and should be removed with an endoscope

Supportive Care Supportive care is the mainstay of treatment in most cases.Prompt attention must be given to protecting and maintaining the airway, establishing effective breathing, and supporting the circulation. This management sequence takes precedence over other diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. If the level of consciousness is depressed, and a toxic substance is suspected, glucose (1 g/kg intravenously), 100% oxygen, and naloxone should be administered

Gastrointestinal Decontamination Syrup of ipecac should not be administered routinely to poisoned patients because of potential complications and lack of evidence that it improves outcome. gastric lavage should not be used routinely, if ever, in the management of poisoned patients because of lack of efficacy and potential complications. Single-dose activated charcoal decreases drug absorption when used within 1 hour of ingestion; however, it has not been shown to improve outcome.

Charcoal is ineffective against caustic or corrosive agents,hydrocarbons, heavy metals (arsenic, lead, mercury, iron, lithium),glycols, and water-insoluble compounds. The administration of a cathartic (sorbitol or magnesium citrate) alone has no role in the management of the poisoned patient. The AACT has stated that based on available data, the use of a cathartic in combination with activated charcoal is not recommended

Whole-bowel irrigation using polyethylene glycol (GoLYTELY) as a nonabsorbable cathartic may be effective for toxic ingestion of sustained-release or enteric-coated drugs. The AACT does not recommend the routine use of wholebowel irrigation. However, there is theoretical benefit in its use for potentially toxic ingestions of iron, lead, zinc, or packets of illicit drugs.