Toxic ingestions in children

Toxic ingestions refer to the accidental or deliberate ingestion of a substance with resultant toxicity or risk of toxicity. Children may ingest a toxic substance accidentally while exploring their environment, or deliberately in response to stress or underlying mental problems, or in an attempt to get "high."

A regional poison-control center or medical toxicologist should be contacted with any suspected overdose in a child.

The range of possible ingestions is broad; diagnosis is based on a combination of thorough clinical evaluation and comprehensive laboratory investigation to identify all ingested substances.

Some asymptomatic patients require observation for 6 hours, or 24 hours for high-risk ingestions; most asymptomatic patients in the US can remain at home with phone follow-up with a poison control center.

The mainstay of management of symptomatic patients is management of airway, breathing, and circulation, with appropriate supportive care. Specific antidotes may also be required.

If patients present within 1 hour of ingestion, activated charcoal can be considered provided that it is not contraindicated. The decision to administer oral activated charcoal should be carefully considered and discussed with a medical toxicologist or poison control center.

With prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment, patients have a good outcome. Fatalities are rare.

Toxic ingestions refer to the accidental or deliberate ingestion of a substance with resultant toxicity or risk of toxicity. Agents consumed may be pharmaceutical substances; drugs of misuse (including alcohol); toxic plants, berries, or mushrooms; or chemicals.