Home > Childhood needlestick injuries in the Dublin metropolitan area.

Nourse, CB and Charles, CA and McKay, M and Keenan, P (1997) Childhood needlestick injuries in the Dublin metropolitan area. Irish Medical Journal, 90, (2), pp. 66-69.

Childhood needlestick injuries and other risk exposures outside of hospital are becoming increasingly common. A retrospective review of casenotes to ascertain the incidence, epidemiology and adequacy of management and follow-up of exposures in the Dublin metropolitan area revealed 52 cases between July 1995 and October 1996. Median age of children was 7.4 years. Most occurred in inner city areas with a recognised high prevalence of i.v. drug use. Only 2 high-risk exposures were identified. On presentation all cases received Hepatitis B vaccination and 56% received Hepatitis B immunoglobulin. Following Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and Human immunodeficiency virus testing, no seroconversions have been identified to date in 9 children with completed tests. General follow-up and Hepatitis B immunisation when initiated were not always complete. Standardised management protocols and wider availability of counselling are recommended.


Item Type
Article
Publication Type
Irish-related, Article
Drug Type
Opioid
Intervention Type
Harm reduction
Date
1997
Call No
JU12.2, VH4.2
Page Range
pp. 66-69
Publisher
Irish Medical Organisation
Volume
90
Number
2
EndNote
Accession Number
HRB 4372 (Available)
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