The little girl nearly died after swallowing 40 paracetamol tablets.
A 13-year-old girl in Tien Giang province, angry at her father for not letting her get hair extensions, self-administered 40 tablets of 500 mg paracetamol, resulting in acute liver failure.
About two hours after taking the medicine, the child felt dizzy, nauseous, and tired, so she texted her father to take her to the hospital on August 12th. Doctors performed gastric lavage, gave the child activated charcoal, and conducted blood tests. The child's liver enzymes were found to be more than 20 times higher than normal.
The child was transferred to the Children's Hospital of Ho Chi Minh City for intensive treatment, including administration of an antidote for paracetamol poisoning. After three days, her condition gradually improved, liver enzymes decreased, and she became alert and expressed remorse for her actions. The hospital's psychologists talked to her, provided counseling, and helped the girl overcome the crisis.
Doctors advise that during adolescence and puberty, children experience significant psychological and physiological development and changes. Parents need to pay attention, explain things to their children, and avoid coercion or imposition, as this can disrupt their psychology and easily lead to impulsive and dangerous actions.
Paracetamol is a common fever-reducing medication, but it can cause severe poisoning and serious liver damage if used improperly or in excessive doses. Recently, a child in Phu Tho province was given an overdose of paracetamol and suffered liver failure, putting their life in critical danger.
The usual dose is 10-15 mg/kg body weight per dose, taken twice a day at least 4 hours apart. Refer to the dosage instructions on the medicine box for age-appropriate dosages. For children under two years old, it is best to use fever-reducing medication as prescribed by a doctor.
