4-YEAR REVIEW OF CIGARETTE INGESTIONS IN CHILDREN

The objective of our study was to assess the demographics, incidence, types of symptoms, and outcomes of cigarette product ingestions in chi ldren. The study was a retrospective database review. Seven hundred ch ildren under six years of age ingesting cigarettes or cigarette butts reported to a Poison Control Center between 1988 and 1991. Among 143 p atients (20.4%) with symptoms, vomiting was the only symptom in 138 (9 8.6%) and occurred in less than 20 minutes in 104 (74.3%). The five re maining patients (two with vomiting, three without) developed transien t lethargy or irritability that completely resolved. Forty-four of 700 patients ingested potentially toxic amounts and were referred to the emergency department; three were lost to follow-up. Initially asymptom atic patients never developed symptoms. Symptomatic patients improved without sequelae. No patient developed seizures. We concluded that sig nificant toxicity from the ingestion of cigarette products in children is rare. Vomiting within 20 minutes is the most common symptom. Its a bsence predicts a favorable outcome, even when large amounts are suspe cted to have been ingested.