Common pediatric poisoning (drugs, household chemicals)

1. Big picture

Pediatric poisoning is a time-critical emergency topic because children may deteriorate quickly from airway obstruction, respiratory depression, seizures, shock, arrhythmias, hypoglycemia, metabolic acidosis, or corrosive injury.

Most poisonings are:

Toddler → accidental ingestion at home
Adolescent → intentional overdose / self-harm until proven otherwise

Core oral-exam sentence: **“In suspected pediatric poisoning, management starts with ABCDE stabilization and glucose check, not with identifying the toxin. Then we remove exposure, prevent absorption when appropriate, give specific antidotes when indicated, monitor for complications, and assess saf