Common culprits in childhood poisoning: epidemiology, treatment and parental advice for prevention.

Unintentional poisoning in children less than 6 years of age is a common occurrence. The majority of cases involve 1- and 2-year-old children who ingest nonpharmaceutical products. Although the clinical outcomes of these exposures is usually favourable, deaths do occur. In the US, the causes of death most commonly reported by the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System (AAPCC TESS) are carbon monoxide and adult formulations of iron. The exposures most commonly reported by the AAPCC TESS are cosmetic/personal care products (e.g. perfume, cologne and aftershave), household cleaning substances (e.g. bleach and alkaline corrosives) and analgesics [e.g. paracetamol (acetaminophen)]. Prevention is important and exposure to poisons should be considered a preventable childhood injury. The use of child-resistant packaging and the secure storage of household substances are the basis of preventing unintentional exposures. Parents and healthcare professionals need to be aware of what constitutes high risk exposure, as well as those exposures which are common but not serious. Poison prevention efforts should also address the appropriate role of the poison information centre.