Severe pediatric intoxication in intensive care unit

Abstract

Introduction: intoxications are considered a growing public health problem in most countries, especially at pediatric ages, where they are among the first ten causes of morbidity and mortality. Objective: to characterize clinically and epidemiologically children with serious intoxication in Pinar del Río 2014-2016. Methods: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study of a series of cases was carried out. The study sample consisted of 39 patients diagnosed with severe intoxication. The information was taken from the medical records and questionnaire to tutors. Descriptive statistics methods were applied. The ethical principles for medical research were met. Results: intoxications predominated in two age groups: under 5 years old (43.6%), and 11 to 15 years (30.8%); 59.0% were female, 48.7% was intoxicated with drugs, 66.7% had no personal risk factors and 17.9% had adaptive or psychiatric disorders. Among the social risk factors, 64.1% had a low family socioeconomic level and 53.8% had low schooling of the tutor. 76.9% happened accidentally. The frequent admission cause was gastrointestinal (84.6%). 53.8% were complicated by electrolyte imbalances and 46.2% had an acid-base imbalance. Conclusions: pediatric intoxications are frequent in females during the first five years of life and early adolescence through the gastrointestinal tract; new means are required in favor of decreasing the frequency of this condition.

Keywords

• ENVENENAMIENTO
• PEDIATRÍA
• CUIDADOS CRÍTICOS.