Accidental ingestion of NaF tablets by children--report of a poison control center and one case.

Accidental ingestion by children of NaF tablets for caries prophylaxis is a frequent event. However, our own experience from the Poison Information Centre in Vienna and reports from other centers show that these accidents usually do not present a serious risk. The mechanism of fluoride toxicity and symptoms of poisoning are briefly reviewed. The case of a boy who died after ingesting 16 mg fluoride/kg, but whose cause of death is not certain beyond doubt, is discussed.