An Evaluation of the Hospitalized Pediatric Forensic Cases at a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Introduction:It was aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric forensic cases to contribute to the literature and to preventive health care services.Methods:A total of 1406 pediatric forensic 18 cases hospitalized in our pediatric clinics were reviewed retrospectively. Data on demographic characteristics, including age and gender, reasons for referral, time of presentation, hospitalization period, need for intensive care and mortality rates were determined.Results:The mean age was 5.55±5.11 years and 52.6% (n=739) of the patients were male. It was found that intoxication cases took the first place (n=852, 60.6%) followed by traumas (21.9%), and suicide attempts (11.4%). When forensic events were evaluated according to age groups, it was determined that 60.7% of intoxication cases were under 5 years of age. The patients were mostly admitted in the summer months (n=454, 32.3%). 9.5% of the patients required hospitalization in the intensive care unit, and the mortality rate was 0.12%.Conclusion:Intoxication cases and accidents are the leading causes of preventable health problems in our country as in the whole world. Creating a safe indoor and outside environment for children is the most effective approach to injury prevention.

Keywords

• forensic cases
• emergency department
• children