Pediatric Gastrointestinal Decontamination in Acute Toxin Ingestion (original) (raw)

Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient

International journal of emergency medicine, 2011

To define the role of gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination of the poisoned patient. A computer-based PubMed/MEDLINE search of the literature on GI decontamination in the poisoned patient with cross referencing of sources. Clinical, animal and in vitro studies were reviewed for clinical relevance to GI decontamination of the poisoned patient. The literature suggests that previously, widely used, aggressive approaches including the use of ipecac syrup, gastric lavage, and cathartics are now rarely recommended. Whole bowel irrigation is still often recommended for slow-release drugs, metals, and patients who "pack" or "stuff" foreign bodies filled with drugs of abuse, but with little quality data to support it. Activated charcoal (AC), single or multiple doses, was also a previous mainstay of GI decontamination, but the utility of AC is now recognized to be limited and more time dependent than previously practiced. These recommendations have resulted in several tre...

International Variability in Gastrointestinal Decontamination With Acute Poisonings

Pediatrics

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying international differences in the management of acute pediatric poisonings may help improve the quality of care. The objective of this study was to assess the international variation and appropriateness of gastrointestinal decontamination (GID) procedures performed in children and adolescents who present with acute poisonings to emergency departments. METHODS: This was an international, multicenter, cross-sectional prospective study including children <18 years with poisoning exposures presenting to 105 emergency departments in 20 countries from 8 global regions belonging to the Pediatric Emergency Research Networks. Data collection started between January and September 2013 and continued for 1 year. The appropriateness of GID procedures performed was analyzed using the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and the European Association of Poisons Centres and Clinical Toxicologists' recommendations. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify independent risk factors for performing GID procedures. RESULTS: We included 1688 patients, 338 of whom (20.0%, 95% confidence interval 18.1%-22.0%) underwent the following GID procedures: activated charcoal (166, 49.1%), activated charcoal and gastric lavage (122, 36.1%), gastric lavage (47, 13.9%), and ipecac (3, 0.9%). In 155 (45.8%, 40.5%-51.2%), the GID procedure was considered appropriate, with significant differences between regions. Independent risk factors for GID procedures included age, toxin category, mechanism of poisoning, absence of symptoms, and the region where the intoxication occurred (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Globally, there are substantial differences in the use and appropriateness of GID procedures in the management of pediatric poisonings. International best practices need to be better implemented.

Pediatric ingestions: Charcoal alone versus ipecac and charcoal

Annals of Emergency Medicine, 1991

Study objectives: To determine the effect of syrup of ipecac (SO1) on time to receive and retention of activated charcoal (AC) and on total ED time. Design: During a two-year period, patients were enrolled in a prospective, randomized, unblinded, controlled trial. Setting: All patients were recruited and studied in a pediatric emergency department. Participants: Seventy children less than 6 years old (mean age, 2.4 +-0.2 years) who presented with mild-to-moderate acute oral ingestions. Interventions: Group 1 received SOI before AC. Group 2 received only AC. Measurements and main results: Group i patients took significantly longer to receive AC than group 2 from the time of ED arrival (2.6 + 0.1 vs 0.9 +± 0.1 hours, P < .0001). Group 1 children were significantly more likely to vomit AC than were group 2 children (18 of 32 vs six of 38, P < .001). Patients receiving SOI who were subsequently discharged spent significantly more time in the ED than those receiving only AC (4.1 ± 0.2 vs 3.4 +-0.2 hours, P < .05). Conclusions: Ipecac delays the administration of AC, hinders its retention, and prolongs ED time in pediatric ingestion patients. These data support the recommendation that AC alone should be the gastrointestinal decontamination method of choice for the mild-to-moderate pediatric ingestion patient presenting to an ED.

Analysis of Gastric Lavage Reported to a Statewide Poison Control System

The Journal of Emergency Medicine, 2016

Background: As decontamination trends have evolved, gastric lavage (GL) has become a rare procedure. The current information regarding use, outcomes, and complications of GL could help refine indications for this invasive procedure. Objectives: We sought to determine case type, location, and complications of GL cases reported to a statewide poison control system. Methods: This is a retrospective review of the California Poison Control System (CPCS) records from 2009 to 2012. Specific substances ingested, results and complications of GL, referring hospital ZIP codes, and outcomes were examined. Results: Nine hundred twenty-three patients who underwent GL were included in the final analysis, ranging in age from 9 months to 88 years. There were 381 single and 540 multiple substance ingestions, with pill fragment return in 27%. Five hundred thirty-six GLs were performed with CPCS recommendation, while 387 were performed without. Complications were reported for 20 cases. There were 5 deaths, all after multiple ingestions. Among survivors, 37% were released from the emergency department, 13% were admitted to hospital wards, and 48% were admitted to intensive care units. The most commonly ingested substances were nontricyclic antidepressant psychotropics (n = 313), benzodiazepines (n = 233), acetaminophen (n = 191), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 107), diphenhydramine (n = 70), tricyclic antidepressants (n = 45), aspirin (n = 45), lithium (n = 36), and antifreeze (n = 10). The geographic distribution was clustered near regions of high population density, with a few exceptions. Conclusions: Toxic agents for which GL was performed reflected a broad spectrum of potential hazards, some of which are not life-threatening or have effective treatments. Continuing emergency physician and poison center staff education is required to assist in patient selection.

Trends in emergency department use of gastric lavage for poisoning events in the United States, 1993–2003

Clinical Toxicology, 2007

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Enhanced Poison Elimination in Critical Care

Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease, 2013

Nephrologists and critical care physicians are commonly involved in the treatment of severely poisoned patients. Various techniques exist presently to enhance the elimination of poisons. Corporeal treatments occur inside of the body and include multiple-dose activated charcoal, resin binding, forced diuresis, and urinary pH alteration. Extracorporeal treatments include hemodialysis, hemoperfusion, peritoneal dialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy, exchange transfusion, and plasmapheresis. This review illustrates the potential indications and limitations in the application of these modalities as well as the pharmacological characteristics of poisons amenable to enhanced elimination.

A standardised protocol for the acute management of corrosive ingestion in children

Pediatric Surgery International, 2004

Oesophageal strictures developing after caustic ingestion in children are a serious problem, and several protocols to prevent stricture formation have been proposed. A prospective clinical trial was conducted for preventing strictures in caustic oesophageal burns in a single clinic, and the results are presented. All children with caustic ingestion who had oesophagoscopy for diagnosing the severity of the burn were included in the study. Eighty-one children were included in the series, with ages ranging between 3 months and 12 years. The patients were given nothing by mouth until oesophagoscopy. IV fluids, broad-spectrum antibiotics, ranitidine, and a single-dose steroid were given. Oral burns were positive in 66 patients. Oesophagoscopy revealed a normal oesophagus in nine patients, grade 1 burn in 24, grade 2a in 21, grade 2b in 23, grade 3a in two, and grade 3b in one. Patients with grade 1 and 2a burns were discharged after oesophagoscopy. Patients with grade 2b and all grade 3 burns were given nothing by mouth for a week except water when swallowing their saliva, and were fed via total parenteral nutrition. After the 1st week, if there was no problem with swallowing, liquid foods were introduced. No intraluminal tubes were used. At the end of the 3rd week, a barium meal was administered and an upper gastrointestinal series taken. Dilatation was performed at 2-week intervals for strictures, which developed in one grade 2a patient, six grade 2b patients, and the grade 3b patient. Only one of these patients is currently on an oesophageal dilatation program. Limiting oral intake and avoiding foreign bodies in the oesophagus seem to provide a good success rate; however, further prospective studies are needed to decrease the incidence of corrosive oesophageal strictures.