Accidental poisoning in Trinidad

ABSTRACT

A retrospective study was made of accidental poisoning in children under age 10 admitted to the General Hospital, Port Of Spain, during 1962. Only one death occured in the 224 cases reported. In contrast with reports from USA and England poisoning from internal drugs was low accounting for only 9 percent of cases. On the other hand poisoning from household agents was responsible for 71 percent of the cases and this included 49 percent due to kerosene which was the commonest single agent. The highest incidence was in the 1- 2- year age group, and 60 percent of all cases were in boys. An appeal made for greater awareness among parents, health visitors, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, teachers and social workers of the problem of accidental poisoning so that the prevalence could be reduced. (AU)