Toxicology case of the month: ingestion of two unidentified tablets by a toddler. Issue 9 (18th August 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: McCoubrie, D; Murray, L; Daly, F F S; Little, M
• Is Part Of: Emergency medicine journal. Volume 23:Issue 9(2006)
• Page Start: 718
• Page End: 720
• Publication Date: 2006-08-18
• Subjects: acute poisoning -- child -- tablets; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; 616.02505
• DOI: 10.1136/emj.2006.034926
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1472-0205

Abstract

Abstract : An asymptomatic 18 month old child presents to the emergency department of a small district hospital shortly after ingesting two unidentified tablets. A small number of pharmaceuticals and illicit drugs may produce life threatening toxicity in a small child if ingested even in one or two dose units and the onset of toxicity may be delayed for some agents. Following risk assessment, a rational management plan is devised and the child is carefully monitored. The patient is observed overnight and discharged home the following day.