Clinical Profile and Outcome of Poisoning in Children Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Childhood poisoning is one of the emergencies commonly encountered in paediatric practice. Accidental poisoning accounts for most of the cases in childhood poisoning and is preventable. Intentional poisoning becomes more likely in adolescent age group. Average incidence among varies studies range from 0.3% to 7.6%. Male children predominate the poisoning accidents accounted for by their greater degree of activity and more number of cases belong to poor socio economic status because of less space. Methodology: All children less than 18 years of age admitted in our PICU and pediatric ward with history of poisoning or intoxication during the study period from October 2017 to September, 2019. Children with chronic poisoning, snake bite, scorpion sting and other poisonous bite, idiosyncratic reactions to drug and food poisoning were excluded from the study. Results: 101 children were admitted with history of poisoning. Most of the cases were accidental. The most common age group was 1-3 years. Maximum families belonged to Lower Middle socioeconomic status. Hydrocarbon (Kerosene) was the most common poison. Suicidal poisoning was more common in the 13-18 year age group and more common in female sex. Vomiting was the most common presentation Specific antidote was used in 21.78% cases. The mean duration between poisoning and presentation was 3.1 hours. The mean duration of hospital stay was 4.2 days. Mortality rate was 2.97%. Conclusion: Childhood poisoning is one of the pediatric medical emergencies like other emergencies and causes significant morbidity and mortality in children. Most of the accidental poisoning is seen in less than 5 years age group due to their innovative character, exploratory nature and mouthing tendencies. Despite of rapid socioeconomic changes, Kerosene is still the commonest agent involved in pediatric poisoning mainly because it is commonly used household item.