A mother of a 3 years old child comes to ED panicking that her child ingeste unknown amount of the below material 30 mintues back.She heard it is a rat poison and could be fatal. Child is asymptomatic and active.
Your junoir want to do gastric lavage and admit the child for observation.
Q1Do you agree with your junoir plan?
Q2What is the expected toxicity of this material?
Panicking Mom Cont!
Thanks all for your excellent comments
and I liked the "light River" advice to keep hazardous materials and objects away from kids reach
Silica gel comes in small paper packets that are included with many kinds of items . It is often found with shoes and purses, cameras and cell phones, in the pockets of coats and jackets, and in bottles of medicine such as vitamins.
Silica gel sometimes looks like little clear, round beads, and sometimes like very small rock crystals.
It is a “desiccant” which means it keeps things dry. It pulls water into itself so that mold and musty odors don’t get started and damage the items.
Silica gel is nontoxic but may present a choking hazard to small children.
Silica gel ingestion is relatively common, occurring mainly in young children; it is rarely symptomatic if any but is a source of unnecessary referrals to health care facilities.
Neither gastric lavage or admission is indicated
References:
Ophir Lavon, Yedidia Bentur .Silica Gel: Non-Toxic Ingestion with Epidemiologic and Economic Implications. Isr Med Assoc J. 2015 Oct;17(10):604-6.
Too invasive procedure. Silica gel is chemically inert and is considered non toxic but is a chocking hazard for children. Assess airway and breathing instead and reassure parents regarding the childs condition.. also advise to secure reachable areas for objects that can cause poison or chocking hazards.
1-do not agree with junior plan
it is non toxic
so as he has no choking ,child could be discharged with advise to avoid same future events
2-no toxic dose -inert material
It’s harmless as it’s inert and don’t breakdown in body. Small children can however choke on it . Plenty of water to flush sachet out of stomach Into large bowel. If vomitting or DIB then admit for observation. Safety net advice.
This is silica gel, packets of it are usually added to clothes & leather products to absorb humidity. It's non/minimally toxic if ingested. Hence, no intervention is needed here.
Not aware of the toxic dose.