Could grandparents unknowingly be putting their grandchildren at risk?
A children’s doctor has warned parents about ‘Granny’s Purse Syndrome’ and why you need to chat to your kids’ grandparents about this before they come to visit.
The syndrome is named ‘Granny’s Purse Syndrome’ as curious young children can accidentally poison themselves if they get their hands on their grandparents’ medications that are left lying around or in their handbags.
TikTok pediatrician Dr Meghan Martin shared a warning about the syndrome in a clip, saying: ‘If you are spending time with family, it’s important to know about something called ‘Granny Syndrome’ or ‘Granny’s Purse Syndrome’.
‘This is when young kids get into their grandparents’ medications that are not secured properly.’
She explained that this can happen as grandparents are not used to having kids around and don’t think about securing their medications in child-resistant containers.
Two in 10 medicine poisonings in children involved grandparents’ medicines and could range from ingesting painkillers to antidepressants to blood pressure medications which can be very harmful for kids.
@beachgem10 “Granny syndrome” happens when young kids get into their grandparents (often unsecured) medication. Parents remind YOUR parents to secure all medications to keep kids safe! #Thanksgiving #Parents #grandparents #kids #emergency #toxic ♬ original sound – Beachgem10
Dr Martin continued: ‘Around 20% of poisonings in young kids are related to accidental ingestions of grandparents’ medications.
‘Because kids’ body size is so small in comparison to an adult body size, even one pill can be a toxic ingestion for these kids.’
Grandparents should be told to be careful with medications when near kids
She issued a reminder to parents to tell their parents to secure their medications when they are visiting, and gave some steps to prevent Granny’s Purse Syndrome which include;
- Make sure that medications are locked up and secure… [not kept in] backpacks, purses, or suitcases
- Don’t take medications in front of kids because kids want to mimic what adults do
- Never refer to medication as candy
People took to the comments, saying that this scary situation had happened to them, with one writing: ‘[It took] 10 minutes for our kids to get into great grandma’s medications cause we were distracted in the welcoming. No ingestions as [we] could count out all the pills.’
Another said: ‘This happened to my oldest when he was two. So so scary. His grandma couldn’t even remember which medication was still in her container so we didn’t know if it was synthroid or glyberide.’
A US-based retired pediatrician also shared a warning about grandparents handbags and backpacks, and warned grannies and granddads really need to be aware of safety around their grandkids.
@ask.bubbie Children and pets can be harmed!
♬ original sound – Ask Bubbie
She says:
‘Don’t keep purses laying around, or even backpacks. Coins can be very dangerous to children, and there is also the risk even to dogs if you have unsweetened gum, as xylitol can be deadly. Or unsweetened mints, because that can also be deadly to dogs.’
She adds:
‘The other thing you have to be aware of is that straps on purses can be very dangerous. And most importantly, grandparents frequently have medicines in their purses and backpacks. And you want to be very careful, because people forget. They put their bags down, they can be opened very easily, and a child can get into something that they shouldn’t.’
The HSE advises that you suspect that your child has accidentally been poisoned, you can call the Public Poisons Information Line in Ireland on 01 809 2166.
This service is available from 8am to 10pm every day but outside these hours, you should contact your GP service or a hospital or call 112 or 999 in an emergency.
