A baby aged seven months from Falesti suffered serious poisoning after swallowing the content of a capsule with liquid detergent. He was admitted to the Chisinau Mother and Child Institute in a serious state in the evening of May 26. According to Natalia Stipan, reanimatologist-anesthesiologist of the Pediatric Intensive Care and Toxicology Section, the child was hospitalized with respiratory insufficiency and toxic pneumonia, which are complications of poisoning with detergents.
The mother told the doctors that the incident happened when she went to bring the dirty laundry to put it in the washing machine. The baby received the capsule from his elder brother, who took it from a container near the washing machine.
The baby received first aid at the Balti Municipal Hospital and was then transferred to Chisinau. The state of the child continues to be serious, but with slight positive dynamics.
In 2014, about 80 children under five were admitted to the hospital with serious positioning. This year the figure is increasing. Last year the poisonings represented 3.3% of the total number of emergency calls, while in the first quarter of this year they represent 4.1% already. Specialists warn that the insecticides, detergents, fuels, paints, the acetone, vinegar and other noxious substances should be kept locked or away from small children, who are curious and want to taste everything.
The grownups are urged to immediately seek medical assistance when they suspect that the child swallowed something. The children of an early age must be immediately taken to the hospital. In other cases, the parents can consult the specialist of the TOXAPEL service on 022.555.220. This service provides telephonic assistance to parents and medical personnel, teaching them how to give first aid in case of child poisoning.
During six years, the REPEMOL (Regionalization of the Pediatric Emergency and Intensive Care Services in Moldova) Project, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, has carried out the campaign “A danger-free home for your child” to inform the parents about the measures that must be taken to prevent home accidents involving children younger than five.
