Citation

Younis N. N. Iraqi J. Med. 2011; 7(3): 46-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2011, Iraq Ministry of Health, Publisher ScopeMed-GESDAV)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Background and Objective: Childhood poisoning is an important health problem which is usually accidental and is responsible for serious morbidity with mortality all over the world. To determine the different agents involved in acute poisoning in children, to assess the clinical spectrum and outcome of poisoning in the Northeastern region of Jordan.

Patient and method: Retrospective chart review study carried out at Prince Hashem military hospital. All admitted cases of acute poisoning during 2010 were collected and analyzed. The spectrum of causative agents was compared with the previous studies in Jordan and other parts of the world.

Results: Poisoning among children during the study period accounted for 3.4% (102 out of 2986 admissions). Children less than 6 years accounted for 91% of all the poisoning admissions. Kerosene was the most common ingested agent (41%). Male patients 60 (59%), female patients 42 (41%) with male: female ratio 1.4:1. Antihistamines were the most common drug ingested followed by analgesics. Most poisonings were accidental (97.1%) and occurred at home. There was no mortality and all children were discharged home in good condition.

Conclusions: Lack of education, inappropriate supervision and improper dispensing are significant contributory factors to the burden of acute poisoning in pediatric age groups.