Children, accidental

Most known cases of fatal or severe exposure to white phosphorus resulted from adults or children accidentally or deliberately swallowing rat poisons or fireworks or handling munitions containing white phosphorus. Other known instances of severe exposure of workers were a result of accidents in white... 

Ingestion of contaminants is the primary exposure pathway for drinking-water. Dermal absorption and inhalation of contaminants during bathing are other common pathways. When contaminated surface waters serve as recreational areas for children, accidental ingestion (water or sediment) and dermal contact become additional pathways for exposure. Finally, aquatic organisms can bioaccumulate contaminants in surface waters, which can lead to dietary exposure through the food-chain. 

In young children, accidental ingestion leads to the rapid onset of drowsiness, hypotonia, dilated pupils, and coma. Fortunately, gradual recovery occurs spontaneously, barring accidents. Passive inhalation of marijuana in infants can have serious consequences. 

Mineral Oil Hydraulic Fluids. Lipoid pneumonia with marked interstitial pneumonitis and pulmonary fibrosis was observed in a child accidentally ingesting a lethal dose of automotive transmission fluid (Perrot and Palmer 1992). Although the exact composition of the hydraulic fluid was not reported, it is assumed to be a mineral oil hydraulic fluid because automotive transmission fluids typically contain... 

Mineral Oil Hydraulic Fluids. There is limited information on the toxicity of mineral oil hydraulic fluids in humans. A single case report of a child accidentally ingesting a single dose of automotive transmission fluid provides limited information on death and systemic effects. A case-control study provides some information on the carcinogenicity of mineral oil hydraulic fluids. The study population was exposed via inhalation and dermal routes. An occupational exposure study provides information on neurotoxicity following chronic dermal exposure. Information on the toxicity of mineral oil hydraulic fluids is limited to a series of inhalation, oral, and dermal acute-duration exposures. These studies provide information on death, systemic effects, and neurotoxicity by inhalation, oral, and dermal routes, and immunotoxicity following dermal exposure. 

Mineral Oil Hydraulic Fluids. There is limited information on the acute toxicity of mineral oil hydraulic fluids to humans. A single case report of a child accidentally ingesting automotive transmission fluid reported respiratory and gastrointestinal effects (Perrot and Palmer 1992). 

A two year old child accidentally ingested DDT/Kerosene mixture equivalent to 278 mg/Kg and died. Workers have experienced suhstantially higher concentrations without ill... 

Accidental ingestion of nickel sulfate crystals (15-20 grams) by 2.5 year-old female child Death in 4 h of heart failure blood had 7.5 mg Ni/kg, urine 50 mg/L, and liver 25 mg Ni/kg FW 6, 8... 

Given the widespread use of JP-8 in the military and aviation industry, concern about occupational exposure of women of child-bearing age has emerged as this workforce continues to expand. Furthermore, accidental spills associated with pipelines or storage facilities can contaminate soil or water, posing unpredictable health risks to nearby residential areas. Taken together, these concerns provide adequate basis to investigate the developmental toxicity of JP-8. 

Even children are not immune from poisoning by PCP. Six cases were observed at the UCLA Medical Center, all 5 years old or younger. Presumably, most were poisoned by accidental ingestion of the drug, which was available in the house one child, only 11 days old, was presumably poisoned by passive inhalation of the smoke produced by the adults around him. The most common clinical manifestations in these youngsters was bizarre behavior, lethargy, ataxia, and nystagmus (48). 

Some chromosomal conditions are caused by changes in the number of chromosomes. These changes are not inherited, but occur as random events during the formation of reproductive cells (eggs and sperm). An error in cell division called nondisjunction results in reproductive cells with an abnormal number of chromosomes. For example, a reproductive cell may accidentally gain or lose one copy of a chromosome. If one of these atypical reproductive cells contributes to the genetic makeup of a child, the child will have an extra or missing chromosome in each of the body s cells. 

Paradoxically, catnip fed to mice had stimulant effects, with increased rearing, locomotion, and stereotypical behavior, increased susceptibility to chemically induced (picrotoxin and strychnine) seizures, and decreased sleeping time after barbiturate administration (Massoco et al. 1995). The LD50 for nepetalactone in mice was reported to be quite high at 1300 mg/kg (Harney et al. 1978). In chicks, an a cohol extract of catnip had biphasic effects, where low to moderate doses (25-1800 mg/kg) produced sedative effects, while higher doses (>2 g/kg) had less sedative and perhaps stimulant effects (Sherry and Hunter 1979). Humans have reported sedative effects of catnip, and one accidental ingestion by a young child reportedly produced sedative effects (Osterhoudt et al. 1997). 

You and your children can be exposed to 1,4-di chlorobenzene in your home if you use products such as 1,4-dichlorobenzene-treated toilet bowl cleaners or mothballs containing 1,4-dichlorobenzene. You should not let your child play with or drink toilet bowl water that has been treated with 1,4-di chlorobenzene. Do not let your children rub mothballs or cleaners containing 1,4-di chlorobenzene on their skin. Because 1,4-di chlorobenzene may be found in the home as a pesticide and bathroom deodorizer and in mothballs, these items should be stored out of reach of young children to prevent accidental poisonings. Always store household chemicals in their original labeled containers never store household chemicals in containers children would find attractive to eat or drink from, such as old soda bottles. Keep your Poison Control Center s number by the phone. 

Numerous case studies have described death following the accidental ingestion of kerosene by children (usually under the age of 5 but as old 15 years). The deaths are usually attributed to lipoidal pneumonia (Morrison and Sprague 1976 Santhanakrishnan and Chithra 1978 Zucker et al. 1986) that was probably induced by the aspiration of the kerosene. Specific respiratory effects associated with death from kerosene ingestion include pneumothorax (Mahdi 1988 Zucker et al. 1986), emphysema (Mahdi 1988), and pneumonitis (Singh et al. 1981). Cardiac arrhythmia was reported as the cause of death in one child however, it was suspected that myocarditis and pulmonary edema may have been the cause of the rapid deterioration and death of the child (Dudin et al. 1991). 

Methadone, used as an analgesic, may be dispensed in any licensed pharmacy. Methadone dispersible tablets are for oral administration only. This preparation contains insoluble excipients and therefore must not be injected. It is recommended that methadone dispersible tablets, if dispensed, be packaged in child-resistant containers and kept out of the reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion. 

The main acute effect is inebriation, which in turn spawns violence, spousal and child abuse, crime, motor vehicle accidents, workplace and home accidents, drowning, suicide, and accidental death. The chronic effects include alcoholism, liver disease, various forms of cancer, brain disorders, cardiovascular disease and other organ system effects, absence from or loss of work, family dysfunction, and malnutrition. 

One human death following oral exposure to nickel was reported (Daldrup et al. 1983). Nickel sulfate crystals (rough estimate of 570 mg nickel/kg) were accidentally ingested by a 2-year-old child. Four hours after ingestion, cardiac arrest occurred, and the child died 8 hours after exposure. 

Cardiovascular Effects. A 2-year-old child died from cardiac arrest following accidental ingestion of nickel sulfate (Daldrup et al. 1983). No increases in numbers of deaths from cardiovascular diseases were reported in nickel workers (Cornell and Landis 1984 Cox et al. 1981 Cragle et al. 1984). 

Humans have been exposed to nickel in nickel mines and processing plants, and numerous epidemiology studies have been performed to assess the cause of death in these workers. Accidental ingestion of nickel also has been documented in a small child and in electroplating workers. Nickel dermatitis is the most prevalent effect of nickel in humans. 

Broderick-Cantwell, J.J. (1999) Case study accidental clonidine patch overdose in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder patients. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry 38 95-98. 

Two instances of accidental massive exposure have been recorded, one of a healthy 43-yr-old man, and another of a 4-mo-old child. 

Accidental ingestion ot nickel sultate crystals (15-20 grams) by 2.5 year-old temale child... 

---