Retrospective Analysis of Childhood Poisoning
Journal Title: Çocuk Acil ve Çocuk Yoğun Bakım Dergisi - Year 2016, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Introduction: Poisonings are common and preventable environmental emergencies requirin rapid diagnosis and treatment in the pediatric age group. The epidemiological and clinical characteristics of poisoning patients were investigated in this study. Methods: Hospital records of patients admitted to the pediatric emergency department due to poisoning between June 2010 and January 2015 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Fifty-five percent of 997 poisoning cases were girls. The median age of the patients was 43 months [Interquartile range: 24-166], 58.1% of patients were under age five and 30.7% were older than 12 years of age. Poisoning under age of 5 was observed predominantly in males as a result of an accident (57.5%) and in above 12 years of age in girls (81%) and due to suicidal purposes (76.1%). In 84.7% of cases, single-drug poisoning was detected. The most common toxicity agents were drugs and caustic/corrosive substances (56.7% and 27.8%, respectively). Analgesics (26.9%) and central nervous system drugs (24%) were the most commonly used drugs. 71.3% of patients were asymptomatic and gastrointestinal findings were found to be the most common symptom in symptomatic patients. Gastric lavage, activated charcoal and antidote treatment were performed in 21%, 28% vad 2% of cases of drug-related poisonings, respectively. 92% of patients were discharged from the emergency department, while 14 patients (1.4%) were treated in the intensive care unit. Mortality due to poisoning was not observed during the five years. Conclusion: Poisoning is an important and preventable cause of morbidity in the pediatric age group. Accidental poisoning is frequently observed in children younger than five years of age while suicidal poisoning is common in adolescence. Drugs and caustic/corrosive substances were found to be the most important cause of poisoning. Recognition of these epidemiologic and clinical features according to age groups will contribute to rapid diagnosis and treatment as well as reduction in incidence of poisoning by taking the necessary precautions.
Authors and Affiliations
Fatma Akgül, Anıl Er, Figen Çelebi Çelik, Aykut Çağlar, Emel Ulusoy, Durgül Yılmaz, Murat Duman
Keywords
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- EP ID EP227105
- DOI 10.4274/cayd.02886
- Views 100
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