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The pattern of childhood in the western Cape


JC Roberts
PM Leary
MD Mann
M Glasstone

Abstract

An analysis of poisoning cases treated at the Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital dUring 1987 and of calls received on the poisons line is presented. Treatment of 1116 children was undertaken and 922 telephone calls were logged. Of the patients treated, 60% had ingested a drug and 30% had drunk paraffin. The high prevalence of paraffin poisoning in the western Cape is examined. Constant vigilance must be maintained if childhood poisoning is to be prevented.

S Afr Med J 1990; 78: 22-24

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eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574