Man poisoned by rat poison, mistaken for calcium pipe.

In Can Tho, a 4-year-old boy mistook a tube of rat poison for a calcium supplement, gave it to his 6-year-old sister to drink, and subsequently vomited, requiring emergency hospitalization.

On February 7th, Dr. Nguyen Trong Nghia, from the Emergency Department of Can Tho City Children's Hospital, stated that the two children were transferred from a local hospital after gastric lavage and intravenous fluid administration. Doctors continued to provide intravenous feeding and administered activated charcoal to help remove toxins.

After three days of treatment, the two children's condition gradually improved, they were able to eat orally, their vital signs were stable, and they were discharged to go home for Tet (Lunar New Year). The children said that their mother usually gave them calcium supplements in ampoules, so they took the ampoules when they saw them.

According to Dr. Nghia, the hospital occasionally receives cases of poisoning in children due to adults carelessly leaving medications and chemicals in unsafe places, causing children to accidentally ingest them. This is the leading cause of poisoning, commonly seen in children aged 1-5, because this age group is curious and exploratory but cannot yet distinguish between different types of toxic chemicals.

If you suspect a child has accidentally ingested medication or a toxic chemical, quickly separate the child from the substance and take them to the nearest medical facility. Parents should bring the suspected medication or chemical with them to help doctors quickly identify the cause and prescribe an antidote.

If a child is poisoned through the skin and mucous membranes, initial first aid involves immediately removing contaminated clothing and continuously rinsing the affected area under clean running water. If the chemical gets into the eyes, rinse the eyes by submerging the face in a basin of water and blinking repeatedly, then instill saline solution.

If poisoning occurs through the digestive tract, elevate the child's head or keep them in a sitting position if they are still conscious. If the child is unconscious, lay them on their left side. This helps prevent choking and also prevents stomach contents from refluxing into the esophagus, trachea, and lungs during vomiting, which could be dangerous. Absolutely do not induce vomiting if the child is unconscious, lethargic, having seizures, or suspected of ingesting corrosive chemicals such as acids or gasoline.

Doctors advise parents to keep medications and toxic chemicals out of reach of children, ideally in secure places where children have little chance of coming into contact with them. Do not store chemicals in empty water bottles or brightly colored containers that attract children's attention, as this can easily lead to dangerous confusion.

Le Phuong

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