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Hydrocarbon poisoning in children: a 5-year retrospective study
Matityahu Lifshitz1, Shaul Sofer, Rafael Gorodischer
1Clinical Toxicology Unit, A. Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. matyl@bgumail.bgu.ac.il
Insights
Hydrocarbon poisoning in children is more common in hot months, affecting the respiratory system and sometimes the central nervous system (CNS). Vomiting may indicate developing pneumonia in these pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Environmental Health
- Emergency Medicine
Background:
- Hydrocarbon poisoning is a significant concern in pediatric populations.
- Understanding the specific risks and manifestations in different geographic and demographic groups is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the demographics, incidence, symptoms, and signs of hydrocarbon poisoning in children admitted from the Negev Desert region.
- To identify seasonal patterns and common clinical presentations associated with hydrocarbon ingestion in this specific population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for children admitted with hydrocarbon poisoning between 1995 and 1999.
- Data analysis included patient demographics, admission seasonality, clinical symptoms, and diagnostic findings such as pneumonia and central nervous system (CNS) impairment.
Main Results:
- The study included 274 children, predominantly young boys (61%) and Moslem Arab Bedouins (94%).
- Higher admission rates were observed during warmer months (summer, spring, autumn) compared to winter.
- Common symptoms included tachypnea, fever, vomiting, and cough, with approximately one-third experiencing CNS impairment. Pneumonia, often interstitial and bilateral, was present in 43% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Hydrocarbon poisoning risk is elevated during hot seasons, with the respiratory system being the primary target organ.
- Pneumonia, typically interstitial, is a frequent complication, and vomiting may correlate with its development.
- Central nervous system (CNS) toxicity can occur independently of hypoxemia or concurrent pulmonary pathology.
Objective:
To investigate the demographics, incidence, and symptoms and signs of hydrocarbon poisoning in admitted children from the Negev Desert area of Israel.
Methods:
The medical records of all children admitted for hydrocarbon poisoning from 1995 to 1999 were reviewed retrospectively.
Results:
Of the 274 admitted children, 61% were boys and 39% were girls, with ages ranging from 6 months to 18 years (median, 1.58 years). Ninety-four percent of the patients were Moslem Arab Bedouins, and 6% were Jews. The largest group of patients (106) was admitted during the summer months (P < .003). Also, more patients were admitted in spring (63) and autumn (67) than in winter (38) (P < .013). Thirty-two percent of the cases were seen in the Pediatrics Ambulatory Unit and then discharged, while 68% were hospitalized. The most commonly observed symptoms were tachypnea (73.7%), fever (63.5%), vomiting (51.1%), and cough (38.0%). About one third of the patients showed signs of central nervous system (CNS) impairment, including drowsiness, restlessness, stupor, and convulsions. These symptoms were significantly correlated with pneumonia, hypoxemia, and fever (P < .001). Of 274 patients, 43% (118 children) had pneumonia--usually interstitial pneumonitis (90%). Vomiting was significantly correlated with pneumonia (P < .05).
Conclusions:
1) There is a higher risk of hydrocarbon poisoning during the hot months of the year; 2) the respiratory system is the main target organ affected; 3) pneumonia is in most cases interstitial and bilateral; 4) vomiting after hydrocarbon ingestion is related to the rate of development of pneumonia; 5) symptoms of CNS impairment were correlated with hypoxemia, pneumonia, and fever; and 6) CNS toxicity may occur without hypoxemia, concurrent pulmonary pathology, or other pathology.