Evaluation of Intoxication Cases Followed in Our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction:The causes of intoxication can vary from country to country, from region to region within the same country and even in the same region over the years. In this study, the patients with intoxication diagnosis were evaluated in terms of their demographic characteristics, intoxication reasons and also the factors causing intensive care hospitalization in our pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).Methods:The study included 115 patients with intoxication diagnosis between one month and 18 years of age, who were followed up in PICU between January 2017 and December 2019.Results:The median age of the patients was 154 (interquartile range, 37-196) months and 51 patients (44%) were male. The median age of female patients and the patients who were hospitalized due to suicide attempt were higher (p<0.05). In 9 (75%) of the patients between the ages of 5 and 12 years, intoxication occurred outside the home due to scorpion sting or snake bite and it was statistically significantly higher when compared to other age groups (p<0.05). The length of PICU stay was at least 1 day, at most 39 days and median 2 days. Fifty-five (48%) of the patients were poisoned with a single agent and 25 (22%) with multiple agents. The most common reason for hospitalization was the need for close follow-up in 80 (70%) patients, secondly hypotension in 21 (18%) patients. While 64 (56%) of the patients were not treated with any specific treatment, the most common treatment was gastric lavage (n=51, %44). Mortality developed only in one female patient with organophosphate poisoning.Conclusion:Childhood intoxication is still an important cause of PICU stay. Much more studies are needed to comprehensively evaluate intoxication causes and preventative measures.

Keywords

• pediatric intensive care unit
• intoxication
• toxic agent