Pediatric Overdoses and Poisonings - Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatments - Essay Example

The causes for death due to poisoning can vary from the abuse of drugs, cyclic antidepressants, Salicylates, and acetaminophen like aspirin and Tylenol, as they are easily available over the counter in many countries around the world. Yet the intake of Carbon Monoxide is the largest cause of death due to poisoning, as it kills, as per rough estimates, more that 5000 people every year. However, poisoning, as it occurs unintentionally, is most severe in the children, as they are not aware of the consequences of any overdose intake.

For example the children are taught to take multivitamins to get stronger, and in turn they may have an overdose of these vitamin pills to get more strength in one go. This results in the alarming iron poisoning.As per the figures available from the American Association of Poison Control, the top substance to cause poisoning is the cosmetic and personal care product, followed by cleaning materials, analgesics, plants, foreign bodies cough and cold preparations, insecticides and pesticides, vitamins and gastrointestinal preparations.

A detailed table of figures giving the exact statistics can be found in the chapter one of book, “The clinical toxicology laboratory” by Leslie M Shaw.Sympathomimetic is a syndrome that is caused by excess autonomic stimulation by adrenergic agents. The overdose of these agents occurs from the use of cocaine, methamphetamine and OTC medicines like cold and cough suppressants. Such overdoses cause problems in neurological and cardiovascular systems, which can result in cardiovascular collapse, seizures, hypertension etc.