Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 20, 2026

A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter
04:39

A Modified QuEChERS-HPLC Method for Detection of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Zebrafish Embryos Exposed to Fine Particulate Matter

Published on: June 13, 2025

748

Predictors of unintentional poisoning among children under 5 years of age in Karachi: a matched case-control study

Bilal Ahmed1, Zafar Fatmi, Amna R Siddiqui

  • 1Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. bilal.ahmed@aku.edu

Injury Prevention : Journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention
|October 7, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Unsafe storage of hazardous substances and child

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Poisoning is a significant cause of unintentional injury and pediatric emergencies in children under five.
  • Identifying risk factors is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine factors associated with unintentional poisoning in children under five presenting to emergency rooms in Karachi, Pakistan.

Main Methods:

  • A matched case-control study involving 120 cases and 360 controls was conducted.
  • Data was collected via interviews with parents using a structured questionnaire.
  • Conditional logistic regression analysis was performed.

Main Results:

  • Unsafe storage of chemicals/medicines (aOR=5.6), aggressive child behavior (aOR=8.2), storing fuel in bottles (aOR=3.8), low socioeconomic status (aOR=9.2), low maternal education (aOR=4.2), and prior poisoning history (aOR=8.6) were significant risk factors.
  • These factors were independently associated with unintentional poisoning.

Conclusions:

  • Modifiable factors include unsafe storage of kerosene/petroleum and accessibility of chemicals/medicines.
  • Health education on safe storage and child-resistant containers can reduce childhood poisoning.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India09:33

Visualizing Field Data Collection Procedures of Exposure and Biomarker Assessments for the Household Air Pollution Intervention Network Trial in India

Published on: December 23, 2022

3.0K
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

11.3K

Related Concept Videos

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors01:24

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...
33
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...
20
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...
46
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
346
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...
1.3K
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...
3.8K