keeping childrens life

2. POISONING IN CHILDREN
•Poisoning refer to ingestion of a toxic
substance or an excessive amount of
substance
•More than 90% of poisoning occur in the
home. highest incidences occur in children
under 4 years
•Improper storage is the contributing factor
to poisonings

3. Common forms /sources of poisonings in
children
• Drugs e.g acetaminophen, aspirin et
• Organophosphate poisoning from insecticsed&
pesticiseds
• Kerosine/ paraffin poisoning
• Eating toxic plants around the home
• Heavy metals like lead & mercury

4. Sources of poisoning

5. Poisoning Common S&S in a child
• Sudden & abrupt vomiting & or diarrhea
• Sudden loss of consciousness in a perfectly well child
• Drooling &excessive salivation
• Seizures
• Lethargy &malaise
• Changes in breathing, pulse
• Evidence of chemical burns or skin irritations
• Others specific to poisoning

6. First Aid Mgt of poisoning
• Don’t panic., call for help immediately
• Examine the child if the airway is clear( e.g. can talk,
cry or not); if breathing is adequate and circulation is
normal( observe color of the face, depth& rate of
breathing)
• Start CPR if necessary. Be cautious not to touch any
chemical(s).
• If the child is unconscious but the airway is clear,
breathing & circulation are normal, place in the lateral
position.
• Bring along with any vomitus & remains of drugs taken
seeking medical treatment.

7. General Mgt of poisoning
•Terminate the exposure
•Empty the mouth of pills, plant parts or
other materials
•Thoroughly flush eyes with tap water if
they were involved
•Give water to dilute ingested poison
•Do not induce vomiting

8. General mgt cont
• Remove the poison
•Dilute wz water
•Administer activated charcoal 1gper kg for 30-60
minutes
•Prepare appropriate equipment for potential
medical use like gastric lavage wz NS
•Prevent aspiration when vomiting occurs either
induced or spontaneous

9. Prevention of Poisoning
•Keep medicines & chemicals out of sight
and reach 4 children, preferably in isolated,
locked cabinet.
•Educate the parents regarding safe storage
of all medicines & chemicals in their
original containers with appropriate lables.
•Never tell children drugs are “sweet” as
this may give a wrong idear to children

10. DROWNING AND NEAR DROWNING
•Drowning refers to death following submersion in water
or liquid. sometimes its defined as death following
submersion in water within 24 hours of incident.
•Near drowning: in this case is the individual having been
submerged under water survives past 24 hours following
the incident
•In 2006, over 100,00 children died from drowning.,
500.000 submersion events annually.
•The effect of drowning range from transient to severe
neurological sequels

11. Child drowning

12. •Who is at risk of drowning?

13. Who is at risk of drowning?
• Usually young healthy children, with a pick among
toddlers & adolescents under 15years
• Among toddlers, their sources of drowning are usually
buckets/basins of water, bath tubs, toilets and
intestinal submersion by caretaker in case of abuse,
among older children and adolescents swimming
pools and other water bodies are to blame

14. Pathophysiology of Drowning
• Drowning leads to the damage on the CNS, and
pulmonary function which alter the functioning of the
heart & overall CVS and thus death.
• Prognosis following drowning or near drowning
depends on submersion time and care after the
incident

15. Management of a Drowned child
• Pre- hospital care
• For the survival o the child both pre and hospital care
should be adequate
• Call for immediate or emergency help
• Removal from water
• CPR
• Protect unconscious patient from aspiration

16. • Who should be transported to the hospital
•Amnesic or disoriented child
•Loss of consciousness
•If the child has suffered from a period of apnea
•If a child has been ventilated artificially for any
period
• NB. During transportation keep the child warm,
cover and administer warm fluids

17. HOSPITAL CARE
Once the child arrives at the hosp, continue emergency
care
• Ensure that the airway is patent and the child
breathing
• Give supplemental oxygen
• Artificial ventilation may be required
• Prevent hypothermia give warm fluids
• Treat associated injuries

18. •Note: if the > 12, give oxygen to keep the saturation
above>95% observe 4-6 hours, if the pulmonary
exam normal &saturation normal, the child can be
discharged home.no x-ray or labs needed.
•If the GCS> 12 but pulmonary exam abnormal,
administer more oxygen and monitor the child.
•In case the GCS< 12 give high flow oxygen. The child
might require intubation for low PaO2.CXR & lab
investigation may be required, cardiac monitoring&
frequent assessment.

19. Preventions of Drowning
• Never leave a baby or child in the bath un
unsupervised, not even for a minute
• Don’t leave uncovered containers of liquid around the
house

20. • In a child with seizure( due to dilutional
hyponatremia) thy should be controlled and
electrolytes corrected
• The prognosis is bad if a child get an arrest even wz
emergency intervention
• NB 3 is least and 15 is the maximum GCS score

21. • What do you think are factors contributing to injuries
at home?
• Brain storm

22. Factors contributing to injuries in the home
• Distraction & poor supervision
• Changes to the child’s usual routine or being in a hurry
• Poor housing & overcrowded conditions ( childhood
accidents are closely related to social deprivation)
• Being unfamiliar with the surrounding. i.e., on
holidays, visiting friends or relatives

23. END HERE
• Questions
• Take home
• Read & make notes on Organophosphate poisoning, bites &
suffocation for assessment next week.
•
•Thank you for listening!!