More and more children are poisoning themselves with liquid nicotine from electronic cigarettes, according to the results of a study published in the medical journal Pediatrics. American poison control centers have observed an increase in emergency calls for children who have swallowed this substance.
Poison control centers received 4,128 calls about children drinking e-cigarette liquid during the study. They mainly involved children aged two and under.
Most poisonings were managed at home. Less than 3% of small victims who were taken to hospital were hospitalized. About 2% of them, or 77 children, experienced serious health problems, such as seizures, coma or breathing difficulties. During the study, one child died and several had serious complications, including comas and seizures.
Protect children
Nicotine bottles for electronic cigarettes are dangerous, yet they are often left within easy reach of children. A real risk to their health.
The researchers of the study conclude that “these results highlight the need for greater parental awareness of the importance of keeping devices out of the sight and reach of young children”. They also recommend stricter regulations and restrictions from the United States Food and Drug Administration.
“The problem represents a veritable epidemic,” explains Gary Smith, a pediatric expert at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus (USA). “Parents need to be made aware of the importance of keeping e-cigarettes out of the reach of children.”
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