Pediatric Intoxication Cases Followed in the PICU; 2-year Experience

Abstract

Introduction:There is no regional study presenting the pediatric intoxication cases followed in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). As they show regional features, we aimed to present the pediatric intoxication cases followed in our PICU, and indicate our self-constituted protocol about the PICU admission rules in these patients.Methods:Demographic, clinical and laboratory data of patients who admitted with intoxication and followed in PICU between October 2015 and October 2017 were noted. PICU admission indications were evaluated.Results:Twenty-four (14%) of the 171 intoxication cases formed the study group. Fourteen (58.3%) were female. Ten cases (41.7%) were under 5 years old, 6 (20.8%) were 5-12 years and 8 (37.5%) were over 12 years. In first group, all intoxications were by accident. In second, intoxications were due to accident (n=3), during drug use in treatment dose (n=2) and as a result of child abuse (n=1). In last group, it was by accident in 2, but as a result of suicide in 6 cases. Active ingredients were; central nervous system drugs (n=9), plant (atropa belladona) (n=3), decongestant drugs (n=3), multiple drugs (n=4), intoxication by inhalation (n=1) and other drugs (n=4). Fifteen patients (62.5%) had clinical indications for PICU admission. In five (20.8%) the poison control center advised PICU admission. In four patients (16.7%) we decided PICU admission because of the fatal nature of the ingested drugs.Conclusion:Our results suggest that every clinic, by taking their availabilities into account, should form its own protocols for PICU admission for pediatric intoxication cases.

Keywords

• intoxication
• pediatric intensive care
• admission protocol