 |
 |
|
|
|
|||
|
|||
 |
|||
Controlling and treating accidental poisoning
My two-year-old child has a passion for putting dirt, sticks, and just about anything else in his mouth, so I’m wondering how common poisonous plants and berries are. What should I do if my child eats some?
Poisonous plants and berries are one of the leading causes of poisoning
in young children. Poisonings, in general, are frequent in children under
five, accounting for three-fourths of the seven million incidences reported
each year. Ingesting medications without supervision is the foremost cause.
There are more than 700 poisonous plants in the United States, found in
homes, gardens, and in nature. Some plants are poisonous in their entirety.
Others contain poisonous elements, such as the bulb (tulips and narcissus),
the berries or seeds (mistletoe berries, apple or apricot seeds), the
flower (jasmine), leaves (tomatoes or rhubarb), or roots. The degree of
toxicity varies with the plant and the amount ingested.
“Anyone with small children, pets, or even barnyard animals should
be on guard,” says Robert J. Vinci, M.D., professor of pediatrics
at Boston University School of Medicine. “Even if plants are not
poisonous, they are still a health hazard, since a child may choke on
small berries, leaves, or parts of branches.”
At the same time, says Alan Wolf, M.D., director of the Massachusetts
Poison Control System, “Don’t panic if your child has eaten
a leaf of a plant.” With certain exceptions, such as hemlock, leaves
generally do not cause serious poisoning, though they are one of the frequent
causes of minor poisoning.
If you believe your child has ingested any potentially toxic material,
immediately contact your regional Poison Control Center. This number can
be found in the front of the White Pages, as well as through Directory
Assistance. A poison control expert is best prepared to determine the
toxicity of a poison and the appropriate course of action. “With
more than 450,000 different toxic sources, there is no way an emergency
department can be up to date on every substance,” says Wolf. Still,
once the substance has been identified, a poison control expert may advise
that the child be taken to an emergency department.
To reduce the risk of all accidental poisonings, make sure that any potentially
lethal products -- including medications, pesticides, petroleum, and household
cleaning products -- are stored safely and out of the reach of children
and pets. And should an emergency occur, be prepared: have numbers for
the Poison Control Center and emergency response line
(9-1-1 in most communities) posted near the phone, and alert all family
members, as well as baby-sitters, about the listings. Consider putting
these numbers, as well as those for the fire and police departments, on
automatic dial.
In addition, have ipecac syrup on hand. This medication, used to induce
vomiting, is appropriate for some cases of poisoning, though it can be
harmful in others and should be used only when a health professional has
advised it. If your child is induced to vomit and you bring him to the
emergency department, bring a sample of the vomit. Also bring a sample
of the plant or other material he has ingested. Do not induce vomiting
if you don’t know what has caused the poisoning or if the substance
is corrosive (i.e., a house cleaner) or a petroleum product (i.e., gasoline).
If your child is unconscious, apparently from poisoning, check for vital
signs (is he breathing? does he have a pulse?), and if they are absent,
begin mouth-to-mouth respiration or cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
and have someone call 9-1-1 for an emergency response.
Most accidental poisonings occur in children ages two and three, usually
around mealtime, when children are hungry and parents tend to be distracted
with chores.
For literature on accidental poisonings, contact your local Poison Control
Center or the American Association of Poison Control Centers, at 202-362-7217.
"Health Matters" is written in cooperation with staff members of Boston Medical Center. For more information on hypochondria or other health matters, call 617-638-6767.
25 October 2002
Boston University
Office of University Relations