Abstract

ODUARDO LORENZO, Mario; MARTINEZ CABRERA, Jesús  and  RAMIREZ MUNOZ, Siro. Eventos tóxicos en la infancia según consultas telefónicas atendidas en el centro nacional de toxicología (1994-1997). Rev Cubana Pediatr [online]. 1999, vol.71, n.2, pp. 80-85. ISSN 1561-3119.

A retrospective study on the consultations made by phone due to toxic events in children from January, 1994, to December, 1997, was conducted aimed at developing prophylactic measures. Variables such as sex, age, agent, circunstances in which the poisoning occurred, and hospital care were studied. 60.1 % of the consultations corresponded to poisoned children. The highest risk group was composed of male children aged 0-4. Poisonings at home (95 %) were the most frequent. The substances used were drugs (54.9 %) and pesticides (21.9 %). At the time of consultation, 27.3 % of the children had underwent gastric lavage. Taking into consideration the detected situations, it was suggested to take preventive measures in 3 fundamental areas: health education, training of the medical personnel giving attention to the poisoned children, and distribution of Ipecac syrup in the main urgency polyclinics.

Keywords : POISON CONTROL CENTERS; HOTLINES; POISONING [epidemiology]; CHILD.

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