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06 November 2007 Bindeez beads - health effects
The Deputy Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant said scientists and clinicians at The Children's Hospital at Westmead (CHW) had identified the cause of illness affecting two children admitted to the Hospital. Dr Chant said scientists moved into action when the first sick child presented to the Hospital, in or close to a coma on 6 October - not in the week starting 29 October as indicated in advice that was available last night. A second ill child presented last Saturday evening, 3 November 2007. "After the first child's presentation, staff at CHW immediately started investigations to try to determine the cause of the child's illness," Dr Chant said. "In the week after the first admission a number of tests were undertaken on the sick child and also on samples of beads that this child had been playing with. Samples of the beads were also purchased from a toy retailer and these identified a similar result to that indicated by the beads swallowed by the first child." Dr Chant said urinalysis for both children showed a toxin - 4-hydroxybutyrate (also known as gamma hydroxybutyrate, or GHB). "A principal scientist at CHW also ordered a control sample of 1,4 butanediol which metabolises in the body into the toxin found in the children. The control sample was tested on 29 October and testing confirmed the presence of 1,4 butanediol. "The persistence of the clinicians and scientists at CHW led to the successful identification of the toxin that had affected the two children." The NSW Poisons Information Centre notified poisons information centres in other states and territories last Friday prior to the second victim arriving at CHW. A media release issued last night warned parents to remove the beads from their children's reach. Today Public Health Unit Directors, hospital emergency departments, the NSW Ambulance Service and GPs were advised of the potential health effects of ingesting Bindeez beads. Related links:For further information please refer to the fact sheet on the NSW Health website:http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/factsheets/general/bindeez.html For a range of health information, go online to www.health.nsw.gov.au |
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