Citation

Ng KC. Singapore Med. J. 2003; 44(2): 79-83.

Affiliation

Department of Emergency Medicine, KK Women's & Children's Hospital, 100 Bukit Timah Road, Singapore 229899. keech@kkh.com.sg

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Singapore Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14503781

Abstract

This is a three-year retrospective review of 96 cases of paracetamol ingestions seen by KK Children's Emergency Department. Paracetamol is the commonest substance (23%) involved in childhood poisonings. More than 60% occurred in children aged one to three years old with an equal gender distribution. Eighty-six percent were accidental ingestions and the intentional ones had a significant female bias, all occurring in children aged 12 and above. These older children ingested higher doses of paracetamol (average dose of 233 mg/kg) and had potentially serious serum paracetamol levels. There was no significant morbidity and no mortality in this series.

Language: en