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Pubmed for Handhelds

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  • Title: Serious injuries from dishwasher powder ingestions in small children.
    Author: Bertinelli A, Hamill J, Mahadevan M, Miles F.
    Journal: J Paediatr Child Health; 2006 Mar; 42(3):129-33. PubMed ID: 16509913.
    Abstract:
    AIMS: To describe patterns and severity of caustic injuries sustained from dishwasher powder ingestion and highlight need for national safety standards. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of admissions for caustic ingestion to Starship Children's Hospital from January 2003 to January 2005 and review of New Zealand National Poisons Centre data. RESULTS: Between January 2003 and January 2005, the National Poisons Centre recorded 610 dishwashing powder ingestions, with 88% of children less than 2 years old. Twenty-three children were admitted to Starship Children's Hospital following caustic ingestion, of whom 11 were identified as having ingested dishwasher powder (9 boys and 2 girls) and were aged 11 to 30 months (mean 17.5). Five children (45%) were admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit over 4 months (October 2004 to January 2005), requiring intubation for airway control. Two children needed tracheostomy. Three of the 11 children (27%) required repeated oesophageal dilatation, and two underwent gastrostomy formation. One brand of dishwasher detergent and container type was implicated in over half of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Dishwasher detergents are highly corrosive substances that cause potentially life-threatening injuries and ongoing morbidity. The recent surge of incidents may be related to change in product constituents or non-compliance with New Zealand safety standards. Efforts to limit product alkalinity, legislative requirement of Child-Resistant Packaging and public education may reduce injuries from these common household substances.
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