Citation

Guzel A, Paksu MS, ŞIşman B, Murat N, Yüce M, Sahin S, Karakus A, Paksu S. Turk. Klin. J. Med. Sci. 2012; 32(5): 1254-1259.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Hekimler Birliği Vakfı)

DOI

10.5336/medsci.2011-25942

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic features of patients presentign to the pediatric emergency department with alcohol intoxication. Material and Methods: The hospital records of 43 pediatric patients (0-18 years old) who presented with alcohol intoxication between January 2006 and March 2011 were examined retrospectively.

RESULTS: During the study period, 43 pediatric patients were admitted to our emergency unit; thirty-two patients (74.4%) were male, 11 (25.6%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 13.7±5.3 years (1 to 17 years). The reason of alcohol intoxication was excessive intake in 33 patients (76.7%), accidental intake in 7 patients (16.3%) and suicide attempt in 3 patients (7.0%). The median blood alcohol level was 127 (1-314) mg/dl. Poisoning severity score (PSS) was mild in 23 (53.5%) patients, moderate in 2 (4.7%) patients and severe in 3 (7.0%) patients. Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) was ≤8 in three (7.0%) cases. The most common symptoms and signs were nausea (48.8%), vomiting (46.5%), consciousness (7.0%) and hypothermia respectively. Three patients (7.0%) had a history for trauma. One patient had clinical findings of sexual abuse. Alcohol and illicit drug use was detected in two patients (4.7%). The mean follow-up period of the subjects was 16.1±7.1 hours. Intravenous fluid therapy was adminisered in forty-two (97.6%) patients and intravenous sodium bicarbonate in 1 (2.3%) patient.

CONCLUSION: Admissions to pediatric emergency services because of alcohol poisoning are increasing. Trauma, drug use, and psychiatric disorders may accompany this clinical picture. © 2012 by Türkiye Klinikleri.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; Child; human; female; infant; male; hypothermia; suicide attempt; disease severity; Emergencies; alcohol intoxication; alcohol consumption; article; vomiting; retrospective study; clinical article; clinical feature; emergency health service; fluid therapy; follow up; child health care; nausea; alcohol blood level; Alcoholic intoxication; consciousness; bicarbonate; Glasgow coma scale; medical history; trend study