Acute poisoning as a cause of hospitalization of children and adolescents in the pediatric ward – 9-year analysis
Journal Title: Postępy Nauk Medycznych - Year 2014, Vol 27, Issue 9
Abstract
Introduction. Among the reasons of hospital treatment of children and adolescents poisonings play a significant role, both accidental and intentional as a result of a suicide attempt.The aim of the study is to assess the causes, incidence and course of acute poisoning in children and adolescents hospitalized in a pediatric ward in Warsaw.Material and methods. Among the 18,050 children admitted to the ward during the years 2004 to 2012, hospitalizations due to acute poisoning require 2.3% (411/18050) children. We analyzed the circumstances and the type of poisoning in 409 children.Results. 54.8% (224/409) of patients consumed the substance that led to the poisoning deliberately and intentionally, while in 45.2% (185/409) of cases the poisoning was accidental. In the whole analyzed group the intentional poisoning was significantly more frequent among girls (225/409) than among boys (184/409) (p= 0.006696). 411 patients were diagnosed with poisoning, with 451 substances. In 40 cases (8.9%) the poisoning concerned multiple substances. The most frequent cause of poisoning was medications – in 47.9% (216/451) of cases, ethanol – in 20.6% (93/451) and various chemical substances. Among the medications, the most frequent cause of poisoning was acetaminophen (27.3%; 59/216), neurological medications (21.7%; 47/216) and dextrometorphan (18.5%; 40/216). In children aged up to 5, the most frequent cause of poisoning were chemical substances (84.5%; 38/45) and mushrooms (84.6%; 11/13). In adolescents (aged 13-18) the most frequent cause of poisoning were medications (56.5%; 105/186), ethanol (97.4%; 76/78) and narcotics (94.7%; 18/19). Both in the whole group as well as among adolescents, a significant difference between boys and girls in the frequency of poisoning with medications, ethanol or narcotics was not observed. The average length of hospital stay was 2.6 days (from 1 to 14 days).Conclusions. Poisonings are still a serious problem in children and pose a threat to their health and life. The most frequent cause of poisoning regardless of age are medications, with a dominant role of acetaminophen (paracetamol), neurological medications and dextromethorphan (acodin). In adolescents (aged 13-18) significant causes of poisoning also include ethanol and narcotics.
Authors and Affiliations
Teresa Jackowska, Monika Grzelczyk-Wielgórska
Keywords
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