RODENTICIDE POISONING AMONG CHILDREN

We aimed to determine the nature, extent and sequence of events of acc idental childhood poisoning with rodenticides and identify potential i ntervention strategies. Subjects were identified prospectively from ca llers to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre and those presenting to the Emergency Departments of hospitals participating in the Victor ian Injury Surveillance System from 1 April to 31 December 1993. The e vents preceding rodenticide ingestion were examined via telephone ques tionnaire involving 128 parents or guardians of children under five ye ars exposed to rodenticides. Rodenticides are not leading agents for s erver poisoning but are a frequent and increasing cause of less sever poisoning. Most children (90 per cent) had obtained the rodenticide fr om the site at which it had been laid, usually by the caregiver (67 pe r cent), in the kitchen, lounge room or laundry, inside cupboards or w ardrobes. In 69 per cent of these cases, respondents thought the site would not normally allow access to children. Only 13 per cent of child ren were admitted to hospital, although 41 per cent sought medical att ention. Most caregivers (90 per cent) were aware of some dangers assoc iated with rodenticides. Children usually ingest insufficient amounts of rodenticide to cause serious effects. However, medical assessment a nd monitoring of prothrombin times is often indicated, with a conseque nt cost to the healthcare system. Potential countermeasures, focusing on packaging and positioning of rodenticide baits, product formulation , and the distribution of management guidelines for health workers, we re identified. Implementation of the identified countermeasures was in itiated by a workshop involving stakeholders from industry, research a nd health professions.