Clinical Profile, Outcome and Factors Influencing Poisoning in Children Admitted in Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Accidental poisoning is one of the important causes of childhood morbidity and mortality. The pattern of poisoning has been changing with new hazards constantly appearing due to introduction of new drugs and chemicals. Childhood poisoning is usually accidental making poisoning a preventable problem. As we lack concrete data about poisoning in children from our region, we decided to undertake this study to quantify the problem of childhood poisoning so that effective steps can be taken up to educate the parents and the caretakers to prevent this common problem in the vulnerable pediatric population. Aims and objectives: To know the clinical profile of poisoning, outcome of poisoning & the factors influencing poisoning?age of a child, literacy of parents, socio-economic status andthe circumstances of poisoning. Materials and methods: Study Size and Design: This is a hospital-based prospective study where children less than 12 years of age presenting with a history of poisoning or intoxication during the study period. Results: prevalence is 1.92%, out of 123 patients, all are ingestional [100%], most of poisoning by hydrocarbon [39%], age wise 1-3 yrs [52%], more are of males [59.3%], more cases in rural population [57.7%], more in summer season [45.6%], maximum in lower SES [53.4%], maximum were by accidental ingestion [96%], all are survived [100%], with vomitings [43%] as major symptom with mean duration of stay 1-3days [61.8%].