Acute poisonings in children: epidemiology, risk factors and possible ways of their prevention

Abstract

Acute poisoning in children is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in many countries. In this observation study, all children poisonings over eight years period (1st January 2009 to 31st December 2016) admitted to Poison Center (PC) in Baku, Azerbaijan were reviewed using electronic and paper medical records. There were a total 2949 pediatric admissions to PC (17.9% of all poisoning cases). Among them only 6.2% were intentional poisonings. One thousand six hundred fifty-two patients (56.2%) were male. Pharmaceuticals (n=1276, 43.3%), organic solvents/oil products (n=562, 19.1%), and corrosive substances (n=380, 12.9%) were most common agents responsible for poisoning in children. Thirty fatal cases reported during the study period. Mortality in children (1,02%) was significantly lower (p<0.05) than mortality in adult group (2.56%). Adoption of educational prevention program for parents as well as enforcement child-resistant packaging and reducing toxicity of household chemicals can decrease poisoning cases among children.