A cross-sectional study of children with acute poisoning: A three-year retrospective analysis

Abstract

BACKGROUND:There is a lack of evidence on description of burden and cases of childhood poisoning in developing countries. This study aimed to assess the characteristics of children with acute poisoning, and factors for time of presentation to health facility and nature of poisoning. METHODS:A cross-sectional study was conducted at three major pediatric referral hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Description of demographics of children with acute poisoning and factors associated with time to presentation and nature of poisoning were analyzed. Data were entered to Epi info 3.5.3 and analyzed with SPSS version 20. RESULTS:Over three years, we retrieved records of a total of 128 children admitted for acute poisoning. The mean age of victims was 5.46 (SD, standard deviation=4.48) years. The majority (29.7%) were poisoned by prescribed drugs. Most poisoning incidents (73.5%) were unintentional in nature. The median time to health facility visit was 15.5 hours. Age less than 2 years was related to earlier presentation to health facility (P=0.010, OR=0.28, 95%CI=0.10-0.74). Children with age more than 5 years was more likely to have intentional poisoning (χ 2 =25.06, P<0.0001). None of the victims was provided psychosocial evaluation and counseling.CONCLUSION: Most poisoning incidents are unintentional. Prescribed drugs are the commonest causes. Psychosocial counseling and care for the affected children is lacking. Family and community education should be given on prevention of poisoning. We recommend that caregivers take the required action in keeping prescribed drugs at home. Psychosocial support should be part of care and treatment of children with poisoning.

Clinical profile of poisoning in children: a hospital based study

“…Similarly, male preponderance is also seen in other studies, however one study in Ethiopia reported similar frequency in both boys and girls. 4,[6][7][8][9] Sixty percent of our study children are from the lower socioeconomic class which is similar to the findings by two other studies from Pakistan and Iran. 7,8 This is found to be statistically significant and is an important risk factor for accidental poisoning in children due to poor storage facilities in such households and along with poor supervision and parental neglect due to poverty and large family size.…”

“…This is in line to the reports by other authors like Bacha, Kohli and Farnaghi et al who reported 77.5%, 96.9% and 90% respectively. 4,6,8 Frequency of poisoning in children is more common among boys (72%) as compared with girls (28%) with a ratio of 2.57:1, which is statistically significant. Similarly, male preponderance is also seen in other studies, however one study in Ethiopia reported similar frequency in both boys and girls.…”

“…This higher risk group is also described by other authors. [4][5][6][7] No child above 10 years were there in this study, however, 5-10 years group was 14%. This is on the lower side of other studies where the >5years age group are higher, however, this could be because of the lesser number of cases and study group including only those less than 12 years.…”

“…This is similar to studies by Ashgar (27%) and Kohli (27%); however, studies in Ethiopia, the most common agent was drugs, both prescription and over the counter. 4,5,9 Second to kerosene is corrosive poisoning (bleaching powder, caustic soda and phenol), with 24% of the total study group of 50 cases coming in with it. This is higher than that reported in other studies.…”

A study on profile of poisoning in pediatric population

“…33 The other studies reported drugs followed by kerosene are the most common poisoning agent in their study. [34][35][36] Out of 38 cases, 2 cases died. Both cases are of alluminium phosphide poisoning.…”