The New Zealand medical journal
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To review paediatric exploratory ingestions of paracetamol presenting to Christchurch Hospital Emergency Department. ⋯ Toxicity from paediatric exploratory ingestion of paracetamol is extremely rare. To reduce the potential for poisoning, bottles and prescriptions of paracetamol should have less than a total dose of 4 g. The authors recommend that unwitnessed exploratory ingestions of paracetamol in children require no treatment if the estimated maximum ingested dose is below 140 mg/kg. Above this dose, treatment is based on the result of a plasma paracetamol level drawn four hours after ingestion. Gastrointestinal decontamination should be reserved for the rare occasions of a definite witnessed ingestion of a dose exceeding 140 mg/kg.
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To examine the profile and hospital costs of head injury patients admitted to the Waikato Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU). ⋯ The New Zealand epidemic of head injuries continues to consume large amounts of the health money and produce major social costs.