Epidemiology of oral poisoning in paediatrics age group

Abstract

Introduction: Poisoning in children is a common and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Our environment is still not child-safe and the medications are not dispensed in a child-safe manner. The incidence of childhood poisoning in India varies from 0.3 to 7.6 percent. Poisoning accounts for 0.03% of mortality in infants, 0.16% in preschool age group and 0.37% of in five to fourteen year’s age group as per the statistics projected by Government of India. The poisoning in paediatric age group includes obsolescent traditional poisons, the in fashion intoxications with recreational drugs as well as chronic exposure to industrial chemicals. The peak incidence of accidental overdoses is in the second year of life and 85% of accidental poisoning affect children under five years of age. Methodology: This is a prospective case controlled study done over a period of two years. The study was conducted in S C B Medical College, Cuttack, Odisha. Results: The poisoning constitutes 1.15% of total paediatric admissions. The commonest type of poisoning was due to Non-Medicaments (56 cases – 78.87%), out of which the commonest poisoning was due to hydrocarbons. Conclusion: Non medicament ingestions particularly kerosene still one of the very common toxic ingestion in children used in accidental poisoning cases.