Epidemiological Evaluation of Poisoning in Children Hospitalized at Razi & Shahid Fahmideh; Kermanshah (2002-3)

Introduction: Poisoning is one of the most common medical emergencies especially in children. It leads to hospitalization,and is the most important reason of mortality in children. It is much more common in younger children . studies have shown that approximately 80% of the  patients  younger than 6 years old. This study is conducted to  evaluate poisoning  in children hospitalized in Razi & Shahid Fahmideh hospitals.

Materials & Methods: This study is a descriptive analytical one which has been conducted during one year(from sep. 2002 to sep. 2003). The population under study included all of the poisoned children hospitalized in the Razi & Shahid Fahmideh (172 subudjects). Related information was drawn from subject’s files in these hospitals. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed to obtain the results.

Results: 61% of the poisoned children were boys & 39% were girls. 2-4 year old children were the most common group (36.7%). Poisoning was more  in summer than other seasons (33.7%). 74.4% of the poisonings had happened in urban areas.Among poisonous materials drugs were the most frequent (44.2%) while  fungi & carbon monoxide were the least frequent  (0.5%). Decrease in level of consciousness was the most common symptom of poisoning (36%), and most of children were poisoned accidentally (59.9%). (65.1%) were cured by conservative interventions and without using any drugs or antidotes. Four cases passed away (1.8% due to snake & scopion biting and 0.6% due to hydrocarbon or oil productions).

Conclusion: Since drugs are the most common causes of poisoning, parents must be informed regarding drug usage and its instruction, so as to prevent or decrease hospitalization period and therefore to decrease mortality rate.