Abstract
The American Association of Poison Control Centers' National Poison Data Surveillance System provides real-time toxico-surveillance and epidemiologic trends, and pediatric ingestions comprise most of those reports. The sequences in social and physical developmental milestones from young childhood to adolescence reveal the vulnerability of these age groups to a wide variety of potential poisonous ingestions. Most pediatric ingestions are exploratory. Some common agents associated with pediatric fatalities include disc batteries, laundry detergent "pods," opioid analgesics, acetaminophen, benzodiazepines, and amphetamines. The pediatric provider can be a valuable resource at all points throughout a child's life, offering anticipatory guidance to caregivers targeting developmental changes associated with poisonous ingestions.