Citation

Tiplamaz S, Kirkpinar E, İnanici MA. Marmara Med. J. 2018; 31(3): 120-125.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Marmara University)

DOI

10.5472/MARUMJ.474194

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: According to Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), 6477 children aged between 1 and 17 years, died in 2015 and 29.5% (n=1909) of these deaths were because of injuries due to external causes and poisoning. Our aim is to produce solutions to this problem by evaluating demographics, clinical features of patients and the causes and consequences of poisoning.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The hospital medical records of children who were admitted with acute intoxication to Pediatric Emergency Service at Marmara University Hospital in 2015, were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS: In 2015, a total of 1110 patients applied to the hospital due to poisoning. Of these cases, 31.6% (n = 351) were children, about half of them were male (n = 173) and half were female (n = 178). The mean age of males was 6.24 years and mean age of females was 8.47 years. Sixty percent (n=213) of patients were in 0-6 age group, 8% (n=28) of patients were in 7-11 age group, 32 % (n=110) of patients were in 12-18 age group. Forty-six point one percent (n = 162) were poisoned with medications. Among the pharmaceuticals, paracetamol was the most commonly used agent (14.8%). In non-pharmaceuticals, caustic/corrosive substances (detergent, bleach, acetone etc.) were the most frequently used agents (54%).

CONCLUSION: In this study, 80.3% of the cases were preventable accidental poisoning. Regulations on child-resistant packaging should come into force as soon as possible. © 2018, Marmara University. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; Child; adult; Intoxication; human; homicide; suicide; child; female; infant; male; newborn; accident; herbal medicine; cannabis; central nervous system; mortality; food; acute poisoning; intoxication; polypharmacy; antiinfective agent; retrospective study; unclassified drug; carbon monoxide; vitamin; paracetamol; poison; cardiovascular system; nonsteroid antiinflammatory agent; urinalysis; antihistaminic agent; cholinergic receptor blocking agent; antibiotic agent; hormone; caustic agent; gastrointestinal tract; detergent; solvent; disinfectant agent; blood analysis; Article; antitussive agent; hydrocarbon; blood cell count; paint; arterial gas; decongestive agent; thinner; acetone; bleaching agent; chemical agent; accidental poisoning; addictive agent; blood biochemistry; corrosive agent; corrosive fluid; forensic origin; Forensic origin