A retrospective study on non-drug related poisoning in the community among children from south India

ABSTRACT Objectives: This retrospective study was performed to determine the incidence, demographic distribution, types and outcomes across various non-drug related poisonings among children attending a tertiary care center in south India. Methods: All children from 0-16 years who presented to the Paediatric Emergency Department, Christian Medical College, Vellore with non-drug related poisoning from October 2004 to September 2013 were included. Results: Out of the total 997 cases of poisoning, 629 (63.1%) cases were contributed by chemicals and plants: mainly hydrocarbons (kerosene) 309 (49.1%); organophosphates 72 (11.5%); corrosive acids and alkalis 57 (9.1%); insecticides 51 (8.1%); and plant poisons 20 (3.2%). Males (62.79%) and children < 5 years (77.42%) were mostly affected. Although many children developed complications requiring intensive care unit admissions, the total mortality was only 9 (1.4%). The incidence of poisoning showed a decreasing trend over the last 4 years. Conclusion: This study for the first time gives an elaborative insight on non-drug related pediatric poisoning from a tertiary care center in south India for almost a decade.

[1]  Gordon S. Smith,et al.  Epidemiology of acute poisoning in children presenting to the poisoning treatment center at Ain Shams University in Cairo, Egypt, 2009–2013 , 2016, Clinical toxicology.

[2]  W. Abuznadah,et al.  Pattern of Drug Overdose and Chemical Poisoning Among Patients Attending an Emergency Department, Western Saudi Arabia , 2015, Journal of Community Health.

[3]  U. Jhamb,et al.  Common Childhood Poisonings and Their Outcome in a Tertiary Care Center in Delhi , 2013, The Indian Journal of Pediatrics.

[4]  A. Chrispal.  Cleistanthus collinus poisoning , 2012, Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock.

[5]  S. Weitzen,et al.  The Important Health Impact of Where a Child Lives: Neighborhood Characteristics and the Burden of Lead Poisoning , 2011, Maternal and Child Health Journal.

[6]  R. Adepu,et al.  Assessment of Prevalence and Mortality Incidences Due to Poisoning in a South Indian Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital , 2010, Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences.

[7]  B. Venkateswarlu,et al.  A study on poisoning cases in a tertiary care hospital , 2010, Journal of natural science, biology, and medicine.

[8]  S. K. Rastogi,et al.  A study of neurologic symptoms on exposure to organophosphate pesticides in the children of agricultural workers , 2010, Indian journal of occupational and environmental medicine.

[9]  D. Das,et al.  Poisoning, stings and bites in children-- what is new? An experience from a tertiary care hospital in Kolkata. , 2009, Indian journal of public health.

[10]  F. Kouéta,et al.  Les intoxications aiguës accidentelles de l’enfant : aspects épidémiologiques, étiologiques et évolutifs au CHU pédiatrique Charles-de-Gaulle de Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso) , 2009 .

[11]  R. Lodha,et al.  Profile of childhood poisoning at a tertiary care centre in North India , 2008, Indian journal of pediatrics.

[12]  A. Gupta,et al.  Predictors of outcome in children with hydrocarbon poisoning receiving intensive care. , 2006, Indian pediatrics.

[13]  O'Connor Pj.  Differentials in poisoning rates of young Australian children according to residential location and geographical remoteness. , 2005 .

[14]  Douglas Borys,et al.  2003 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. , 2004, The American journal of emergency medicine.

[15]  F. Sarikayalar,et al.  Pattern of acute poisonings in childhood in Ankara: what has changed in twenty years? , 2004, The Turkish journal of pediatrics.

[16]  T. Litovitz,et al.  1999 annual report of the American Association of Poison Control Centers Toxic Exposure Surveillance System. , 2000, The American journal of emergency medicine.

[17]  M. Bhatia,et al.  Deaths due to poisoning in children. , 1999, Indian pediatrics.

[18]  S Gupta,et al.  Trends in poisoning in children: experience at a large referral teaching hospital. , 1998, The National medical journal of India.

[19]  C. K. Das,et al.  Poisoning in children: Indian scenario , 1998, Indian journal of pediatrics.

[20]  V. Kumar.  Accidental poisoning in south west Maharashtra. , 1991, Indian pediatrics.

[21]  K. Sommerfelt,et al.  [Accidental poisoning in children]. , 1990, Tidsskrift for den Norske laegeforening : tidsskrift for praktisk medicin, ny raekke.

[22]  V. Agarwal,et al.  Accidental poisonings in children. , 1974, Indian Pediatrics.

[23]  R. J. Buhariwalla,et al.  Poisoning in children: a study of 303 cases. , 1969, Indian pediatrics.

[24]  L. Dao,et al.  [Acute accidental poisoning in children: aspects of their epidemiology, aetiology, and outcome at the Charles de Gaulle Paediatric Hospital in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso)]. , 2009, Sante.

[25]  A. Chowdhury,et al.  A study on mortality and morbidity pattern of acute childhood poisoning cases admitted in block primary health centres of Sundarban, West Bengal. , 2008, Indian journal of public health.

[26]  K. Basu,et al.  Epidemiological aspects of acute childhood poisoning among patients attending a hospital at Kolkata. , 2005, Indian journal of public health.

[27]  L. Buffoni,et al.  Epidemiological aspects of poisoning in children observed over a 10-year period. , 1981, Clinical toxicology.

[28]  S. Sinclair.  Childhood poisoning. , 1975, Indian pediatrics.