Citation

Werneck GL, Hasselmann MH. Rev. Assoc. Med. Bras. (1992) 2009; 55(3): 302-307.

Vernacular Title

Intoxicacoes exogenas em criancas menores de seis anos atendidas em hospitais da

Affiliation

Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Brazilian Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19629350

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe the profile of poisoning cases among children attended during three years at emergency hospitals in the metropolitan area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: All confirmed or suspected poisoning cases, due to drugs and biological substances; organic solvents and hydrocarbons; chemical products; carbon monoxide and other gases; and pesticides, were collected. RESULTS: 1,574 cases of poisoning in children up to 5 years of age were detected. Around 40% of the cases involved chemical products of domestic use, 35% were caused by drugs, and 15% by pesticides. More than half of pesticide poisonings involved the 'chumbinho', an illegal product sold as a rodenticide, and usually including in its formulation a carbamate. Distribution of agents varied significantly by gender, the relative frequency of poisonings due to drugs and 'chumbinho' being higher among females than males. Participation of chemical products of domestic use decreased with age, but the role of drugs increased as agents of poisoning. During the observation period there was no significant reduction in the total number of annual cases. CONCLUSION: Supporting the expansion of the network of Poison Control Centers, developing intervention for the production of safer packaging devices for drugs chemical products, suppressing the illegal commerce of 'chumbinho', and fostering health education activities might contribute to modify this situation.

Language: pt