Primary Care Reports – December 1, 2022
December 1, 2022
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Pediatric Exposures to Toxic Substances in the Home
A high percentage of calls to poison centers each year are for exposures in children younger than the age of 6 years. Many of these calls are prompted by exposures to substances commonly found in the home and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality even when the result of a small, exploratory exposure. An index of suspicion and a knowledge of toxidromes is critical to make an accurate diagnosis in cases of pediatric toxic exposures. Consultation with a medical toxicologist or poison control center is recommended for all suspected toxic ingestions, both for management recommendations and for reporting purposes.