Abstract
To the Editor.— Dr Arena's series of articles on poisoning (232:1272, 233:358,900,1975) are a valuable addition to the files of practicing physicians; however, one important consideration that should play an important part in the follow-up of poisoning in children was not mentioned by Dr Arena. This is the association of poisoning in children with family disturbance. Sobel and Margolis, 1 in a study of repetitive poisoning in children, found that repetitive poisoning was not related to environmental hazard or lack of parental supervision, but rather to marital tension and a tense and distant family atmosphere. These findings were confirmed by a more elaborate prospective study, in which it was again found that accidental poisoning in children bears no relationship to home safety as measured by the quantity, toxicity, and availability of poisonous substances in their homes, 2 and that accidental poisoning was intimately related with parental psychopathology and disturbed
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