Citation

Johannsen HG. Ugeskr. Laeger 2006; 168(1): 51-55.

Vernacular Title

Forgiftningsulykker med husholdningskemikalier blandt born i perioden 1993-2002

Affiliation

Kragemosen 61, DK-5250 Odense SV. hans.dorte@dadlnet.dk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2006, Den Alm Danske Laegerforening)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

16393565

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was, in order to help prevent poisoning accidents in the future, to see if the pattern of posisoning accidents involving household chemicals among children changed in the Odense area in the period 1993-2002 compared to the period 1980-1992. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review is presented of the registration of all poisoning accidents among children aged 0-6 years treated at Odense University Hospital, Denmark, during the period 1993-2003. The results are compared to results from the period 1980-1992. RESULTS: There were 1,426 poisoning accidents, of which 396 were accidents involving household chemicals. 369 of the accidents involving household chemicals were in the age group 0-3 years and 27 in the age group 4-6 years. We did not find any decrease in the number of accidents when we compared it with the number occurring in the previous 10 years. Most of the accidents took place in the home. DISCUSSION: It is necessary to continue with campaigns to prevent accidents involving household chemicals among children. It is parents' responsibility to ensure that chemicals are kept out of the reach of children.