CLINICAL PROFILE OF POISONING IN CHILDREN

Abstract

Background: Poisoning is a global problem. In children poisoning is less common and is mostly accidental in nature as compared to adults.
Children in their phase of growth and development are temperamentally curious and inherently explorer by nature. Constantly trying to explore
their immediate surroundings and environment. This is also a phase when they have tendency of mouthing substances, making them vulnerable for
accidental or unintentional ingestion of poisonous or nonedible substances. Across the world poison control centers receive multitude of calls.
Emergency departments in hospitals receive thousands of admissions. Profile of poisoning changes in children according to age, nature of poison,
mode of exposure, dose and socioeconomic strata.
Aims:1. This study was carried out to find out prevalence, clinical profile and types of poisoning.
2. Studying outcome of accidental poisoning in children admitted in a tertiary care hospital in Thane district which has large component of rural
population.
Material & methods: It was a Record based retrospective & descriptive study. Children admitted with accidental poisoning during January 2014
to October 2018 were included.
Results: 485 children were admitted in our hospital with various accidental poisonings. Out of which 327 were accidental ingestion of variety of
household substances and 158 were cases of animal /insects /unknown bites and stings. These will be referred to as parenteral poisonings. 289
(59.59%) were males & 196 (40.41%) were females. Majority, 336(69.27%) were under 5 years of age.
Of all the oral poisons hydrocarbons 132(27.21%) were the commonest followed by scorpion stings & other bites 93(19.17%), snake bites were
65(13.40%).
Household cleansing agents & corrosives were 48(9.89%). Organo-phosphorous and organo-chlorine compounds were 28(5.77%).
In symptomatology GI symptoms were the most common. Nausea, vomiting was seen in 330 (68.04%), while abdominal pain was seen in
298(61.44%). Respiratory symptoms like cough & breathlessness were seen in 74(15.25%). The most critical presentation was respiratory muscle
paralysis with ptosis in 1 case, convulsion in 1 case, and hematuria in 2 cases.
Most of the patients were discharged within 48 hours. There was no death.
Conclusion: Preventable accidental poisonings are still a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among the children in developing country.
Hydrocarbons like kerosene which is still being used as domestic fuel is the most common substance responsible for accidental ingestion. Snakes,
scorpion & animal bites and stings contribute a significant burden in rapidly urbanizing rural landscape.