asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 14 years of age who were admitted to hospital in each health board area in the years 1981, 1982 and 1983 suspected of, or suffering from, poisoning as a result of ordinary household products such as white spirit, paint stripper, oven and drain cleaner, soldering flux, strong bleach, disinfectant; the cost of treatment; and the length of stay in hospital.
Written Answers. - Poisoning Cases.
381.
Information in the detail requested is not readily available. The following particulars have been obtained from an annual survey of hospital admissions which is carried out by the Medico-Social Research Board. The survey covers about 80 per cent of all admissions, other than maternity, to acute hospitals. The results of the survey for 1983 are not yet available.
Admissions of children under 15 years of age to hospital
|
Cause of Admission |
Year |
|||
|
1981 |
1982 |
|||
|
Number |
Average Stay (Days) |
Number |
Average Stay (Days) |
|
|
Toxic Effect of Alcohol |
64 |
1.8 |
85 |
1.6 |
|
Toxic Effect of Petroleum Products |
63 |
1.7 |
77 |
1.9 |
|
Toxic Effect of Solvents other than Petroleum-Based |
139 |
1.8 |
130 |
1.8 |
|
Toxic Effect of Corrosive Aromatics, Acids and Caustic Alkalis |
73 |
3.4 |
86 |
2.4 |
In some cases the injury might be caused by an external burn rather than by swallowing the particular substance.
Information on the specific cost of treating these patients is not readily available.