A household exposure history can suggest which compounds belong in a toxicology review. Results from two kinds of specimen can provide additional evidence without independently measuring the amount ingested.
The reported sequence
A two-year-old developed seizures after a reported ingestion of part of a camphor tablet. The family described the exposure and a camphor odor, and the hospital later reported positive results for camphor in gastric aspirate and urine. The case report also described the neurologic evaluation and medications given after the child reached care.
How to use the testing record
Document the reported ingestion time, seizure onset, specimen collection and treatment separately. A positive gastric specimen and a positive urine result each describe a different specimen. Neither result in the report provides a reconstructed dose or a population estimate of seizure risk. If a case turns on quantity, identify what was measured, whether the method was quantitative, and what independent evidence describes the product and amount.
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