Cape Town - Tygerberg Hospital and Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital are urging parents and caregivers to be extra cautious of a spike in unintentional poisonings due to medication exposure, usually suffered during winter.
According to the Western Cape Health Department, the Poison Information Helpline recorded 12 267 patient-related calls, with 42% attributed to exposure to pharmaceutical products in 2023.
Alarmingly, over a third of these cases involved pharmaceutical poisoning in children aged 1 to 5, totalling 1096 reported incidents.
The Poisons Information Centres are home to the national Poisons Information Helpline, which has been in operation since 2015.
Carine Marks, director of the Poisons Information Centre at Tygerberg, said while most ingestions may not result in serious harm, there is still a risk of severe toxicity, underscoring the importance of proper storage and supervision.
She urged parents and caregivers to properly store and supervise medications, especially those with sweet, flavoured, or brightly coloured formulations.
“Children’s natural curiosity and exploration can lead them to ingest these substances if they find them, often unaware of the potential dangers.
“Just as one remembers to hang up clothes before bed, it’s imperative for parents to store medications out of reach immediately after use.
“The simple practice of storage can significantly reduce the risk of accidents and ensure children’s safety, especially during winter when cold and flu medications are commonly used.”
Marks highlighted the importance of prompt action in the event of a child being exposed to a toxic dose of pharmaceuticals, especially contacting the poison helpline or seeking medical attention at the hospital can make a significant difference in ensuring the child’s safety and receiving timely medical care.
Emergency contact numbers:
• All emergencies: 112 (cellphone) or 10177 (landline)
• Poisons Information Helpline: 0861 555 777
Laticia Pienaar, spokesperson for the Western Cape Department of Health, said the department remains committed to strengthening the prevention, diagnosis and management of poisoning in both adults and children in the province.
Cape Argus