Citation

Honnungar RS, Kumar L, Shetty AK, Jirli PS. Med. Legal Update 2010; 10(1): 47-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, R.K. Sharma and Institute of Medico-Legal Publications)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

During the last three decades, the study on pattern of accidental poisoning cases in pediatrics has become an important subject for the forensic pathologists and the toxicologists worldwide. A Retrospective analysis of cases of all childhood poisonings in District Hospital, Belgaum over 5 years in the 1 to 15 years age group were studied with respect to age, sex, type of poison and outcome. A total of 116 cases were studied. The most common ingested poisons were Organophosphorus compounds (38.16%). Most common age group involved was 1-3 yrs. The study showed male predominance. There was no significant season-wise variation observed. Manner of poisoning in 92% cases was accidental in nature. Amongst 116 cases, 40 cases were due to snake and insect bites. In this, 30 cases were due to snakes and 10 were due to insect and scorpion bite. Maximum number of cases observed was in the age group 4 and 12 years. The study showed male predominance than females. Maximum number of snake and insect bites occurred in rainy and summer season. All the cases were accidental in nature. We recommend that access prevention and massive health education campaign should be instituted to reduce the incidence of accidental poisoning in children.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; human; homicide; child; female; male; sex difference; suicide attempt; intoxication; article; major clinical study; school child; preschool child; organochlorine derivative; respiratory failure; organophosphorus compound; rodenticide; kerosene; Organophosphorus compound; carbamic acid; snakebite; insect bite; Snake bite; Accidental ingestion; Pediatric poisoning