More than one third of the anti -venene center services in 2024 went to children
Last year, more than a third of the nearly 25,000 calls received at IAM’s Antivene Information Center (CIAV) involved cases of intoxication with children. Most of these were under five years old.
Of the total of the 25,940 calls received, 24,688 (95.18%) were due to exposure to toxic and the remaining potential (4.82%) corresponded to requests for information in the area of toxicology.
According to data from the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) released this Friday, 8,637 toxic exposure situations (35%) involved children, 62.27% of which under 5 years.
The main reasons underlying children to toxic products were accidental situations (59.14%), therapeutic error (22.06%) and intentional exposure (17.39%).
The data indicate that 15,709 of the consultations made to CIAV involved adults, mostly (63.7%) women. In 49.76% of the situations a intentional exposure was reported, 24% were accidental exhibitions and in 20.49% of cases there was a therapeutic error.
« At the source of the exhibition, the main toxic people involved, when it comes to medicines, were the anxiolytics, antidepressants and antipsychotics. As for other products, highlighting abuse substances, which includes alcoholic poisoning, followed by the liaxia and detergents (dishes, machine and home cleaning, » INEM states in a statement.
According to the note, « at the time of contact with CIAV, 11,112 (45.64%) of cases had symptoms. In 46.8% of cases, it was possible to control the situation at the site, thanks to the counseling provided by CIAV, avoiding the use of a health unit. »
CIAV is the only existing poisoning center in Portugal, available through the free 800 250 250 phone number.
The service, which is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, consists of doctors with specific training in the area of toxicology that support health professionals and the general public in situations related to toxic exposure, prevention measures or any information in the area of toxicology.
