Accidental poisoning of preschool children from non-medicinal substances, Australia

Peter O’Connor

2000
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Canberra
AIHW cat. no. INJCAT 29

Poisoning of children aged 0-4 years (preschoolers) from nonmedicinal substances is very rarely a cause of death in Australia. Although poisoning from such substances is a common cause of admission to hospital for this age group, few cases require any surgical or other procedures and length of stay is almost always very short. This suggests that a high proportion of cases are admitted for observation following suspected ingestion of a harmful substance, rather than because of evidence of toxic effects.

The incidence rate of poisoning of preschoolers from nonmedicinal substances, based on hospitalisations, was higher in the country than in the city, particularly from rodenticides and 'other plants', but also from detergents, shampoos, other cleaning and polishing agent, petrol, solvents, organophosphate insecticides, and corrosive and caustic substances. This is the first time that such differentials have been reported in the medical literature. Rodenticide poisoning's are discussed in some detail as they are common and potentially severe.

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