AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON ACUTE POISONING IN PAEDIATRIC POPULATION IN A RURAL MEDICAL COLLEGE.

Abstract

Backgound: In paediatric emergencies acute poisoning is frequently encountered and is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. There is natural division of acute poisoning in paediatric population in to two groups i.e. young children and adolescents. The first group comprises of young children who innocently ingest small amount of single substances. Second group comprises of adolescents who purposefully ingest substantial quantity of multiple substances secondary to emotional outburst or psychiatric illness. This study aimed to study the clinical, toxicological profile and outcome of Acute poisoning in paediatric population in Adichunchanagiri institute of medical sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India. Subjects and methods: This is a retrospective observational study done from January 2018- December 2019, in Adichunchanagiri institute of medical sciences, Mandya, Karnataka, India, involving childhood poisoning. Data was noted on a predesigned proforma, it was compiled and entered in MS Excel spread sheet; descriptive statistics was applied. Results: Out of 50 cases 24 cases (48%) were males and 26 cases (52%) were females. Majority of cases were distributed in the age group of 1-4 years 24 cases (48%), followed by 15-18 years 19 cases (38%). Suicidal poisoning was more seen in adolescent females 15 cases (30%). Pesticide and insecticide remains the most common toxic agent i.e. 21 cases (42%), followed by hydrocarbons 16 cases (32%). 42 cases (84%) got improved, 5 cases (10%) got referred and there was 1 (2%) death. Majority of the cases (52%) got discharged between 1-3 days. Conclusions: Pesticides and hydrocarbons remains most easily accessible toxins in rural area hence, are most commonly implicated toxins in childhood poisoning. Though poisoning remains worrisome problem, it is preventable.