Kerosene poisoning in children: a report from northern Jordan.

A prospective study was conducted over 4 years to evaluate the children with kerosene ingestion in northern Jordan. One hundred and twenty children aged 11 months to 6 years (mean age 2.2) were studied. The majority of patients (90%) were below the age of 4. Most of the cases (42%) were seen during the summer season. The most common presenting symptoms were: cough (70.6%); tachypnoea (59.6%), and fever (55.1%). In 25 patients the parents had induced vomiting before arrival. The main sites of storage for kerosene were: under stairs (36.7%); the kitchen; (33.3%) and bathroom (11.7%). The main containers used were soft drink bottles, water jugs and water glasses. The patients were treated symptomatically, and all except one who was comatose on admission made a complete recovery. Health education and preventive measures are given.