My Family Avoided an Incident Of ‘Granny’s Purse Syndrome’

It was just a few days after a current grandparent visit ended that my 6-year-old introduced a small tablet to his dad that he discovered on the ground close to the couch. My husband was quickly capable of decide it was a drugs left behind unintentionally by my son’s grandma. 

Fortunately, my son did the correct factor and the worst didn’t occur—however I felt shaken up pondering he might have popped the tablet in his mouth pondering it was sweet, or just out of curiosity.

I later discovered that any such incident has a reputation: granny’s purse syndrome. The sadly widespread incidence is being talked about on social media lately, with TikToker and pediatric ER physician Meghan Martin (@dr.beachgem10) explaining in a video to her 1.6 million followers that granny’s purse syndrome, additionally referred to as “granny syndrome,” “occurs when younger children get into their grandparents’ (typically unsecured) remedy.” 

With the vacations upon us, and households getting collectively, we needed to speak to specialists to seek out out extra about this extraordinarily harmful state of affairs, and the way dad and mom can each keep away from an incident involving grandparents’ drugs, in addition to what to do if the worst takes place and your child ingests a pill not meant for them.

How Widespread is Granny’s Purse Syndrome?

The precise variety of incidents straight associated to a baby unintentionally ingesting a grandparent’s remedy will not be recognized. However, “Anecdotally, it’s fairly widespread for kids to get into grandparents’ drugs,” says Maryann Amirshahi, MD, PharmD, MPH, PhD, FACMT, FACEP, FASAM, FCP, a Professor of Emergency Medication at Georgetown College College of Medication and Co-Medical Director of the National Capital Poison Center.

Todd Zimmerman, D.O., a pediatric emergency medication doctor and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Las Vegas agrees.

“Within the pediatric ER, we see kids reasonably steadily as a result of they received into grandparents’ drugs,” he tells Mother and father. 

Dr. Amirshahi explains that though many dad and mom and even siblings could also be on drugs which can be within the residence recurrently, “The danger with grandparents’ drugs is that older adults typically would not have kids residing within the residence, they usually might not retailer drugs up and out of attain or in child-resistant packaging.”

Including to this severe danger is that grandparents usually tend to be on drugs which can be significantly harmful to younger kids, in accordance with Dr. Amirshahi, equivalent to coronary heart drugs, sure diabetes medications, and pain medications.

“Mostly, we see children entering into blood stress drugs, ache drugs, and/or oral hypoglycemic drugs—however that is actually not restricted to only these drugs,” provides Dr. Zimmerman.

Dr. Amirshahi needs dad and mom to know that “A few of these drugs can lead to severe toxicity and even loss of life with the ingestion of 1 tablet.”

How To Keep away from Granny’s Purse Syndrome

Each Dr. Amirshahi and Dr. Zimmerman share suggestions for correctly safe drugs on the go in an effort to maintain children secure.

“After we journey, as many individuals do throughout the holidays, we don’t retailer the drugs the identical approach we might at residence,” notes Dr. Amirshahi.

In the event you’re visiting grandma or grandpa, do not forget that they might not know the significance of constructing changes to their remedy routines. For example, grandparents might mix tablets right into a single bottle, or put them in a tablet organizer that isn’t safe. Some might even take their tablets out the evening earlier than and go away them on the counter for the morning.

As an alternative, these steps must be taken to take away as a lot danger as potential:

• Hold all drugs up and out of attain of kids. “If you’re touring to somebody’s home with kids, don’t go away your remedy in your suitcase, however transfer it up and out of attain,” Dr. Amirshahi advises. “If potential, don’t retailer remedy in your purse.” She says this isn’t at all times possible if, for example, an older grownup with coronary heart issues has to hold nitroglycerin with them in case they develop chest ache. “If it’s important to carry remedy with you, it’s higher to make use of a child-resistant case and carry the smallest quantity potential,” she advises.
• Retailer all drugs in child-resistant packaging. This prevents a younger little one from unintentionally ingesting remedy not meant for them. “Children might imagine it’s sweet, and youthful kids mainly put nearly something of their mouth,” Dr. Zimmerman says.
• Examine the ground and surfaces. Whereas grandparents are visiting—and after—do thorough searches of the ground, tables, sofas, and chairs to make sure no free tablets are, nicely, unintentionally on the free. That is additionally true in case you and your loved ones are visiting a grandparent.
• Remind grandparents about security measures they will take to safe drugs. Dr. Zimmerman recommends telling older guests or hosts upfront that their drugs should be saved in child-resistant bottles, and ideally in a locked cupboard, throughout the keep.

What To Do if a Little one Swallows a Remedy

In the event you suppose your little one might have ingested a drugs, an important factor to do is search quick medical consideration. You’ll be able to attain Poison Control at 800-222-1222 or name 911.

“In the event you suspect a baby received right into a member of the family’s tablets, attempt to get the identify and energy and the quantity of remedy concerned, which may also help inform administration,” Dr. Amirshahi urges.

“It’s essential that you just acquire a listing of each remedy within the family,” agrees Dr. Zimmerman. 

In accordance with Dr. Amirshahi, though they differ relying on what was ingested, hazard indicators of publicity to look out for embrace:

• Gastrointestinal signs. For example, nausea and vomiting.
• Confusion. Additionally, search for unsteadiness, lethargy, and drowsiness.
• Seizures. Flip a baby on their facet whereas awaiting an ambulance if this happens, advises Dr. Amirshahi.
• Bother respiration. “You’ll be able to administer bystander naloxone if accessible,” says Dr. Amirshahi, including that if there isn’t any pulse, begin chest compressions whereas awaiting medical assist.

Clearly, avoiding a terrifying medical emergency is the purpose, so Dr. Zimmerman recommends that oldsters be proactive, and have an open and conscious dialog with grandparents forward of time.

“Allow them to know that you just simply wish to be further secure and tremendous cautious,” he advises.