Citation

Gokalp G. Int. J. Pediatr. Adolesc. Med. 2019; 6(3): 109-114.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Mustashfá al-Malik Fayṣal al-Takhaṣṣuṣī, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ijpam.2019.07.004

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Every year, more than one million children lose their lives due to preventable accidents. Poisoning is the most common among these accidents.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of poisoning cases referred to the pediatric emergency department.

METHODS: The cases (0-18 years old) related to complaints of intoxication in the pediatric emergency department between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017, were examined retrospectively.

RESULTS: The study included 453 patients, with 202 (46.4%) female and 233 (53.6%) male patients. The mean age of the patients was 51.12 months. The most frequent poisoning agents were 211 (46.6%) household cleaning products and 172 (38%) drugs. When the mechanism of poisoning was examined, it was determined that 377 (83.2%) cases were accidental and 47 (10.4%) cases were suicide attempts. It was observed that 286 (45.8%) items were not in original packaging and 95% of those in original packaging were not locked.

CONCLUSION: To avoid childhood poisoning that may have widespread and serious consequences, the poisonous products should be sold with locked covers and kept in places where children cannot reach them. © 2019 King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (General Organization), Saudi Arabia

Language: en

Keywords

adolescent; adult; human; child; female; infant; male; newborn; Poisoning; alcohol; suicide attempt; intoxication; major clinical study; analgesic agent; retrospective study; clinical feature; preschool child; emergency ward; vitamin; paracetamol; insecticide; demography; domestic chemical; acetylcysteine; antibiotic agent; alcohol derivative; narcotic agent; hormone; detergent; iron; Childhood; toxic gas; cardiovascular agent; Article; observational study; hydrocarbon; descriptive research; cosmetic; gastrointestinal agent; central nervous system agents; Pediatric emergency; respiratory tract agent