Pediatr. praxi 2018; 19(3): 151-158 | DOI: 10.36290/ped.2018.032

General approach to suspected poisoning in children

MUDr. Lucie Lischková^{1, 2}, doc. MUDr. Sergej Zacharov, Ph.D.^{1, 2}, doc. Ing. Tomáš Navrátil, Ph.D.³, prof. MUDr. Daniela Pelclová, CSc.^{1, 2}

¹ Toxikologické informační středisko, Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice Praha

² Klinika pracovního lékařství, 1. lékařská fakulta UK a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice Praha

³ Ústav lékařské biochemie a laboratorní diagnostiky 1. lékařská fakulta UK a Všeobecná fakultní nemocnice Praha

In 2017, Czech Toxicological Information Center (TIC) provided 9 621 consultations concerning intoxications or exposures to hazardoussubstances, mixtures, and products in the patients under 18 years of age. The most common cause was the drug intoxication.Poisoning in children under the age of 5 years most frequently happened accidentally. In adolescents, poisonings occurredmainly due to suicide attempts. Severe intoxications of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers were rare. Important elements of thediagnostics of poisoning are: relevant medical history, physical examination, laboratory and X-ray methods and consultationwith TIC. In case of exposure to a toxic dose of hazardous substances, primary decontamination should be performed as earlyas possible. Specific antidotes and enhanced elimination methods are applied if indicated in severe cases. Supportive care is ofutmost importance. Intoxications in children could be prevented in most cases. Health care personnel can efficiently promoteprevention with educational campaigns focused on the parents.

Keywords: intoxication, diagnosis of poisoning, decontamination, antidotes, enhanced elimination

Published: July 1, 2018  Show citation