Aspirin Fatalities—The New Taxonomy

For many years aspirin and aspirin-related products were the leading cause of accidental poisoning in children less than 5 years of age, but in 1966-67, baby aspirin was limited to 36 per package and child-resistant closures were introduced by two major pharmaceutical companies on a voluntary basis.

Abstract

For many years aspirin and aspirin-related products were the leading cause of accidental poisoning in children less than 5 years of age. In the mid 1950s 51% of all accidents in young children were due to accidental poisoning and aspirin was the leading offender. Aspirin ingestions accounted for 19% of total ingestions in 1958 and increased to 26% by 1965. In 1966-67, baby aspirin was limited to 36 per package and child-resistant closures were introduced by two major pharmaceutical companies on a voluntary basis.