A Retrospective Investigation of Poisoning Cases Presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Başkent University Ankara Hospital Between 2012 and 2017

Abstract

Introduction:The aim of this study was to investigate the poisoning cases presented to the pediatric emergency department of our hospital between 2012 and 2017.Methods:We retrospectively investigated age, gender and type of intoxication in patients who presented to the pediatric emergency department between 01/01/2012 and 09/10/2017.Results:One thousand eighty nine children presented to the Pediatric Emergency Department of Başkent University Ankara Hospital due to poisoning (suicidal poisoning or accidental poisoning). 51.2% of the children were male and 48.2% were female. The most common cause for admission was drug poisoning (44.5%) followed by poisoning resulting from animal bites (30.0%) poisoning with household products (15.8%), poisoning due to the inhalation of toxic gases (6.4%), and poisoning due to excessive alcohol consumption (3.2%). Drug poisoning was more common in patients in the 0-3 age group (54.6%) compared to children in other age groups, with boys involved in a case of drug poisoning more than girls in all age groups.Conclusion:Accidental poisoning was common in infants and young children while adolescents were more frequently involved in suicidal poisoning. Given the overall increase in poisoning cases, though with a different trend by years, the study suggests that awareness-raising activities addressing this field should be considered for healthcare professionals serving in emergency departments, and families presenting to emergency departments should be informed about the measures to be taken in case of poisoning in consideration of their children’s developmental stage.

Keywords

• Acute poisoning
• children’s emergency department
• retrospective investigation