Childhood non-drug poisoning in Nnewi, Nigeria.

While poisonings from developed nations have been extensively described there is a dearth of information on poisoning in societies which have different patterns of daily life, customs, products and beliefs. This study surveys childhood non-drug poisoning, the circumstances of exposure, prevalence demographics and products as well as therapy. The commonest poisoning is kerosene (paraffin), incidence was 2/1000 and the age at highest risk is 12-24 months. Often cases were inappropriately managed at home before arriving at the hospital.