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Thursday 29 October 2015

Pick Your Poison: What's New in Poison Control for the Preschooler (Review)

journal of Pediatric Nursing

Volume 30, Issue 2, 1 March 2015, Pages 395-401


Columbia University School of Nursing, New York, NY, United States

Abstract

Accidental childhood poisonings are a major public health concern despite many efforts to alleviate this problem. While the rate of pediatric fatalities due to poisonings have decreased over the last two decades, poison control centers around the US have collectively fielded over one million calls with regard to toxic exposures in the preschool age group. According to the American Association of Poison Control Centers nearly half of all human exposures reported last year involved children under six. By focusing poison prevention efforts on the preschooler, we can attempt to decrease morbidity and mortality in the most vulnerable age group affected. Although the subject is still prevalent, current discussion on this topic is limited. Newer literature discusses past initiatives such as child resistant packaging and sticker deterrent programs and addresses their efficacy. This article revisits older mechanisms of prevention as well as the science behind the human motivation to change one's own practice and behavior. © 2015 Elsevier Inc.

Author keywords

Button battery; Health belief model; Laundry pods; Mr. Yuk; Nicotine; Poison; Poison control; Protection motivation; Syrup of ipecac