Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)
11:38

High Content Screening Analysis to Evaluate the Toxicological Effects of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHC)

Published on: May 10, 2016

Trends in inquiries on poisoning: a five-year report from the National Poison Centre, Malaysia

R Awang1, A F Rahman, W Z Abdullah

  • 1National Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Pulau Pinang.

The Medical Journal of Malaysia
|January 31, 2004
PubMed

Insights

The National Poison Centre of Malaysia received an average of 186 poisoning inquiries annually. Pesticide poisoning accounted for nearly 50% of all cases reported between 1996 and 2000.

Area of Science:

  • Toxicology
  • Public Health
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Poisoning represents a significant public health concern globally.
  • Understanding regional poisoning trends is crucial for targeted prevention and management strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze poisoning inquiries received by the National Poison Centre of Malaysia between 1996 and 2000.
  • To identify the primary sources and types of poisoning cases reported.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from National Poison Centre report forms.
  • Inclusion criteria focused on patient contact with poisons or chemicals.
  • Data categorized by caller type, inquiry type, and specific poison/chemical involved.

Main Results:

  • An average of 186 poisoning inquiries were received annually.
  • Medical professionals constituted the majority of callers.
  • Pesticide-related inquiries comprised approximately 50% of all cases, a consistent trend over the study period.
  • Overall poisoning inquiries related to patient care were lower compared to Japan and the United States.

Conclusions:

  • Pesticides are a dominant cause of poisoning inquiries in Malaysia.
  • The volume of patient care-related poisoning inquiries in Malaysia was relatively lower than in developed nations during this period.
  • Further research into specific pesticide exposures and enhanced public health interventions are warranted.

More Related Videos

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children04:55

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster07:02

Assessment of Chemical Toxicity in Adult Drosophila Melanogaster

Published on: March 24, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Types of Toxins01:36

Types of Toxins

Humans continually engage with an environment rich in potentially harmful chemicals. These are introduced to our bodies through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. These chemicals exist in various forms, such as air and environmental pollutants, agricultural chemicals, organic solvents, and heavy metals.
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Antidotes01:17

Antidotes

Antidotes are medicinal substances used to counteract the harmful effects of toxins or drugs in the body. They function in various ways, each uniquely designed to combat specific toxic compounds.
Specific antidotes operate by inhibiting the enzymes that control biochemical pathways, reducing the production of harmful metabolites.
An example of an antidote is atropine, which counteracts the detrimental effects of cholinesterase inhibitors. It achieves this by deactivating muscarinic receptors,...
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison01:14

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
Toxidromes: Clinical Features01:30

Toxidromes: Clinical Features

Toxidromes are specific patterns of symptoms resulting from toxic substance exposure. They help in the identification and treatment of poisoning. The symptoms of each toxidrome group indicate poisoning by a certain class of chemicals or drugs.1. Sympathomimetic: Stimulates the sympathetic nervous system. Symptoms include agitation, increased heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR), temperature, and pupil size. Drugs like cocaine and amphetamines, along with tremors and...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...