Question
If a child accidentally ingests one sodium valproate tablet, will their health be affected? What emergency measures should be taken?
Answer
If a child has just accidentally ingested sodium valproate, the first step is to assess the time of ingestion. If the time is short, it is advisable to induce vomiting or perform gastric lavage as soon as possible. If the ingestion time is longer, it is recommended to drink plenty of water to promote excretion and closely monitor the child’s clinical symptoms. If the child is generally in good condition and their mental state is normal, consider drinking water for observation. However, parents should immediately take the child to the hospital for professional induced vomiting or gastric lavage treatment, or consider enema measures. At home, parents should not attempt induced vomiting themselves to avoid the risk of suffocation. It is suggested to give the child sugared water to facilitate the excretion of the drug.