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Published on: September 11, 2018

Pediatric poisonings in southeast of Turkey: epidemiological and clinical aspects

H Ozdogan1, M Davutoglu, M Bosnak

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Turkey.

Human & Experimental Toxicology
|May 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Childhood poisonings in Turkey are often accidental, linked to large families, low parental education, and poverty. Addressing these socioeconomic factors is key to reducing pediatric poisoning incidence.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Detailed data on acute childhood poisonings in Turkey is limited.
  • Understanding risk factors is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the clinical, epidemiological, and socioeconomic aspects of acute childhood poisonings.
  • To identify factors contributing to poisoning incidence in children.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive study was conducted over 8 months.
  • Two hundred children with acute poisoning were evaluated at Dicle University Hospital.

Main Results:

  • The majority of poisonings (66.5%) were accidental, predominantly in children aged 13 months to 4 years.
  • Low parental education, large family size (>3 children), and low income were significant risk factors.
  • Intentional poisonings were more common in families with low-educated girls.

Conclusions:

  • Socioeconomic factors, including parental education and income, play a critical role in childhood poisoning.
  • Targeted interventions focusing on vulnerable families are needed to reduce pediatric poisoning rates.

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