Sociodemographic profile of paediatric poisoning cases in Bangalore, India

Background: Acute poisoning forms one of the commonest causes of emergency hospital admissions and acute poisoning in children, contributing for morbidity and mortality in paediatric age group. Material & Methods: Sociodemographic profile of paediatric poisoning cases was conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology in Victoria Hospital collaboration with the Department of Pediatrics, VaniVilas Hospital and, attached to Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bangalore, India. Results: During study period a total of 128 cases of paediatric poisoning cases were analysed and all cases were registered as medico-legal cases and informed to police as per section 39 CrPC. Incidence of poisoning was seen more in the age group of 0 to 5 years (38.28%). In this study the mean age was found to be 8.25 years, more in males compared to females, sex Ratio of male: female is 1.1: 1. Poisoning cases were more commonly seen in rural areas (53.9%) compared to urban areas (46.1%). Poisoning cases were predominantly seen in Hindus (79.7%) (n=102) as compared Muslims (20.3%) (n=4). Maximum number of paediatric poisoning cases was noticed among Upper Lower Class, followed by upper middle class. Conclusions: The data available from the present study does not enable the assessment of risk factors. However, by identifying the importance of childhood poisoning as a cause of morbidity as may help in channelling the intervention programmes and further research in the right direction.