What should a parent do if their child swallows a potentially poisonous substance?
· When a child swallows a potentially poisonous substance, the advice of a well-trained, well-qualified health professional is needed. Keep the number of the Poison Control Center posted near the phone; the universal number in the U.S. is 1/800-222-1222. Call 9-1-1 if a child is having convulsions, stops breathing or loses consciousness. What about families who live far away from hospitals? Should they keep syrup of ipecac handy just in case? · Parents who live in rural or remote areas should still discard any syrup of ipecac in their homes. There is no evidence that shows benefit for children who are treated with ipecac. That fact does not change for those who live far from hospitals. What is the reason for the new recommendation? · There are several reasons behind the new recommendation. Most importantly, there has never been any evidence that vomiting helps children who eat or drink something poisonous. Also, most emergency rooms have stopped using ipecac in favor of activated charc
