A 3-year survey of acute poisoning exposures in infants reported in telephone calls made to the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre, South Africa
Date
2016-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Background. Infants undergo rapid development changes and are particularly vulnerable to toxic chemicals. Identifying and evaluating the
toxic risks that exist in this age group could be very valuable when making recommendations on how to prevent specific types of poisoning.
Objectives. This study analysed the toxic substances responsible for acute poisoning exposures in infants (<1 year of age) as well as the
severity of the exposures.
Methods. A retrospective analysis of the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre (TPIC) database was conducted over a 3-year period (1 January
2011 to 31 December 2013). Descriptive statistics are provided for the entire study population as well as for the neonatal subgroup (<30 days old).
Results. The TPIC handled 17 434 consultations during the 3-year study period. Infants were involved in 1 101 cases (6.3%), of which
46 cases (4.2%) were neonates. Most enquiries about infants were associated with non-drug chemicals (n=824, 74.8%). Pharmaceuticals
were involved in 185 cases (16.8%) followed by biological exposures (e.g. snake and spider bites, scorpion stings, plant and mushroom
poisonings) (n=109, 9.9%). Most infants (n=987, 89.6%) presented with no or only minor symptoms. In neonates, 17 (37.0%) presented
with moderate to severe toxicity. Six of these (35.3%) were poisoned by complementary and alternative medicines.
Conclusion. Most poisoning exposures in infants are not serious and can be safely managed at home after contacting a poison centre.
Identification and documentation of poisoning in this special population is of great importance.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geen opsomming beskikbaar
Description
CITATION: Marks, C. J. & Van Hoving, D. J. 2016. A 3-year survey of acute poisoning exposures in infants reported in telephone calls made to the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre, South Africa. South African Journal of Child Health, 10(1):43-46, doi::10.7196/SAJCH.2016.v10i1.1045.
The original publication is available at http://www.sajch.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.sajch.org.za
Keywords
Pediatric toxicology, Poisoning in children, Poisons
Citation
Marks, C. J. & Van Hoving, D. J. 2016. A 3-year survey of acute poisoning exposures in infants reported in telephone calls made to the Tygerberg Poison Information Centre, South Africa. South African Journal of Child Health, 10(1):43-46, doi::10.7196/SAJCH.2016.v10i1.1045.