On January 23, the National Children’s Hospital reported a concerning situation with 8 children admitted for rat poison poisoning. Particularly alarming was a cluster of cases in Tuyen Quang province that shocked the public.
Cluster Poisoning Cases in Tuyen Quang
This cluster involved 5 children aged 7-9, all admitted to the hospital with symptoms such as vomiting, headaches, abdominal pain, and even seizures. The cause was determined to be due to the children picking up red-colored tubes of poison contained in plastic bags and sharing them among themselves.
Red tubes of poison that the children picked up, leading to severe poisoning.
After the incident was discovered, the children were transferred to Tuyen Quang General Hospital before being moved to the National Children’s Hospital. Here, doctors diagnosed them with fluoroacetate poisoning, a dangerous component in rat poison. While their health has improved, they still require close monitoring to prevent complications.
Other Poisoning Incidents Causing Concern
In addition to the cases in Tuyen Quang, the National Children’s Hospital also recorded two incidents in Hoa Binh. Two boys, aged 8 and 10, were rushed to the hospital after mistakenly consuming chicken eggs injected with rat poison. After 3-4 hours, both experienced dizziness, nausea, and were promptly taken to the hospital by their families.
Doctors identified bromadiolone in the children’s bodies—a substance causing prolonged blood clotting disorders. Following a week of intensive treatment, the children’s conditions stabilized, and they were discharged.
Another case occurred in Ha Tinh when a 3-year-old girl accidentally drank rat poison from a tube her grandmother used for trapping mice. Initially, she only vomited, but on the third day, her condition worsened with decreased consciousness and seizures. An MRI revealed severe brain damage. Fortunately, after more than a week of treatment, her health gradually recovered.
Carelessness with Oil: A Costly Lesson
Not just rat poison, oil used for temple lamps also poses a significant danger to children. Around Tet, the National Children’s Hospital admitted two children suffering from respiratory failure after ingesting lamp oil by mistake.
Severe lung damage in children who mistakenly consumed lamp oil.
Both patients, an 18-month-old boy from Yen Bai and a 16-month-old boy from Thai Nguyen, were admitted in a coma with impaired consciousness and severe lung damage. The cause was determined to be due to families transferring oil into unlabeled containers accessible to children.
Health Experts’ Warning
According to leaders at the National Children’s Hospital, the busy period around Tet increases the risk of negligence towards children. Even a moment of carelessness can lead to tragic accidents. Therefore, parents should:
- Always keep an eye on children, especially when they are alone at home.
- Keep hazardous items out of reach of children, including rat poison, lamp oil, and other harmful chemicals.
- Clearly label containers holding liquids or chemicals to avoid confusion.
Raising awareness about child safety not only prevents accidents but also ensures community safety during the Tet holiday.
Conclusion
These poisoning incidents serve as a serious wake-up call for families. Take proactive measures by managing hazardous items carefully and educating children about the dangers of handling unfamiliar objects. Each small action today could save a child tomorrow.
Always prioritize your children’s safety!
Source: dantri.com.vn
