[Toxic encephalopathies].

Abstract

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Due to an increase in the use of industrial products (gases, solvents, pesticides, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and so on) living beings are exposed to the effects of many new substances, many of whose possibly toxic effects were not researched sufficiently before being put to use on a massive scale. Owing to their particular physiology, habitat and behaviour, children and teenagers are often a target for these substances. Most of the intoxications present with symptoms and signs of nervous system involvement that are similar to those caused by other diseases. In certain cases, a diagnosis is provided by the setting or witnesses. In other cases, however, first a high degree of suspicion is required and then this is sometimes confirmed by toxicology laboratory studies. CONCLUSIONS: When intoxication is suspected in a child or they need treatment, such patients must visit a toxicological care centre. In spite of the campaigns aimed at preventing intoxications, they are still a common cause of high morbidity and mortality rates among children and teenagers.