Citation

Lang T, Thuo N, Akech S. Trop. Med. Int. Health 2008; 13(6): 845-847.

Affiliation

Kemri-Wellcome Trust Programme, Kilifi, Kenya.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1365-3156.2008.02067.x

PMID

18363584

Abstract

A serious and common accident in rural Kenyan homesteads is accidental ingestion of paraffin when it has been mistaken for water and offered to a young child. Here we report the incidence, parental practices and outcome of severe paraffin poisoning, requiring admission at Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya. Over a 2-year period, 48 children (0.5% of all admissions) were admitted with kerosene poisoning, constituting 62% of all poisoning cases. All cases were accidental. Ten per cent had induced vomiting. One child (2%) died. We suggest these data support assessment followed by implementation of practical and affordable measures to prevent paraffin poisoning.

Language: en