Rationale
Poisonings and ingestions are major preventable causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. Poison control centers across the U.S. receive more than 2 million calls a year regarding accidental ingestions and exposures to toxic material. Poison prevention counseling has a major positive impact on reduction of poisoning.

Objectives

• Describe the epidemiology of poisoning and ingestions:
  • Explain why infants, toddlers and young children are especially vulnerable for unintentional ingestions and poisoning.
  • Discuss the reasons for intentional ingestions in adolescents, including risk taking, experimentation, substance abuse, and suicide.
  • Identify the environmental sources of lead and discuss the clinical and social impact of lead poisoning.
• Outline strategies for poison prevention at all ages.
• Describe the clinical manifestations, toxicity, and basic management of
  • Ingestions of acetaminophen, aspirin, caustic agents, hydrocarbons, iron, lead and tricyclic antidepressants.
  • Exposure to carbon monoxide.
• Know the indications, contraindications and appropriate use of
  • Syrup of ipecac
  • Gastric lavage
  • Activated charcoal
  • Specific antidotes
• Describe the resources available to the physician for acute poisoning management, including Poison Information Centers and textbooks.