Poison exposures and use of ipecac in children less than 1 year old.

Poison exposures in children less than 1 year old and the safety and efficacy of syrup of ipecac in children 9 to 12 months old were evaluated in a prospective eight-month study conducted at the Massachusetts Poison Control Center. Poison exposures in children less than 1 year old represented approximately 9% of the 38,080 calls received. Mobile children (in walkers, crawling, or walking) were at the greatest risk of poisoning. The majority of children (94%) were asymptomatic and none were hospitalized or died. The products involved were primarily plants (38%) and household products (30%). All 21 patients, ages 9 to 12 months, were given 10 mL syrup of ipecac under medical supervision and vomited within one hour. The mean time to vomit was 21.7 (SEM +/- 2.8) minutes. The patients vomited 3.3 (SEM +/- 0.3) times and all episodes of vomiting abated by 26.4 (SEM +/- 6.6) minutes. No significant side effects were noted. The use of the syrup of ipecac in the 9- to 12-month-old child appears to be safe and effective.