Epidemiological and sociocultural assessment of childhood poisonings

Clinical Assessment of Acute Organophosphorus Pesticide Poisoning in Pediatric Patients Admitted to the Toxicology Emergency Department

Pesticide poisoning in pediatric patients is still an important reason for presenting to the emergency department in Romania. In this context, the present study aims to raise awareness of the toxicological impact of pesticides on human health in pediatrics. For this purpose, the demographic characteristics, clinical assessment, and outcome of pediatric patients with acute pesticide poisoning admitted to the toxicology department of "Saint Mary" Emergency Children's Hospital from Iasi, were analyzed. This retrospective study focused on the clinical and laboratory data of patients aged under 18 years diagnosed with acute pesticide poisoning between 2010-2020. The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica 10 package. A total of 49 patients presented with manifestations of acute pesticide poisoning, and the most common pesticide involved was diazinon. The most frequent exposure route was accidentally ingesting pesticide products (95%). The primary clinical manifestations were toxic encephalopathy, coma, depressive disorder, gastric disorders, and respiratory failure. Changes in the glycemic status, liver, and kidney damage were also present. Treatment included decontamination, administration of antidote, supportive care, and recommendations to be closely monitored to avoid a new incident. These results highlight the toxic potential of pesticides on human health and their biological consequences, which require an increase in consciousness of the precautions imposed on their use, especially when children are nearby.

Evaluation of accidental and intentional pediatric poisoning: Retrospective analysis in an emergency Department of Turkey

INTRODUCTION

Childhood poisoning is one of the leading causes of applications to ED and is a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The characteristics of poisoning may differ by geographic region, season, and the sociocultural aspects of the community and age groups.

METHOD

Poisoned patients age ≤ 18 years admitted to the ED January 2018-December 2019, were evaluated retrospectively.

RESULTS

Of 170 cases, mean age was 7.48 ± 5.54 years. Of the cases, 0-5 years (44.1%), 6-12 years (24.7%), and 13-18 years (31.2%); most were female (58.2%). Causes were accidental (72.9%), intentional (24.1%), and substance use (2.9%). Accidental cases were all patients age 0-5 years, 31.8% of age 6-12 years, and 24.5% of age 13-18 years. Drugs caused 72.9% of cases, primarily analgesics (22.4%), among which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were most common (12.4%). Intentional poisoning by repeated drug intake caused 5.9% of cases. Rat poison caused 7.1% of non-drug cases. Treatment was gastric lavage (52.4%) and oral activated charcoal (45.9%).

CONCLUSION

As a result of the study, it was determined that accidental drug intake was the most common reason for children to apply to the ED due to acute poisoning in our region. Childhood poisoning can be prevented by measures to be taken by the environment, family, and healthcare professionals.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS

The fact that children's acute poisoning cases are mostly accidental in our region shows that it is important to raise the awareness of parents to reduce acute poisoning and alleviate its negative consequences.