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Severity scores and their associated factors among orally poisoned toddlers: a cross sectional single poison center

Menyfah Q Alanazi1, Majed Al-Jeraisy2,3, Mahmoud Salam4,5

  • 1Drug Policy and Economic Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. anizim1@ngha.med.sa.

BMC Pharmacology & Toxicology
|January 6, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Home remedies for toddler poisoning can worsen outcomes. Seek immediate emergency department care for orally ingested substances to avoid severe complications, especially with chemical ingestions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Substance poisoning is a significant risk for toddlers during exploration.
  • Evaluating poison severity and contributing factors in pediatric emergency departments is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the Poison Severity Score (PSS) in toddlers with oral substance ingestion.
  • To identify factors associated with poisoning severity in a Saudi Arabian pediatric emergency department.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study reviewed poisoning reports from 2009-2011.
  • Data included patient and incident characteristics; PSS assessed 11 body systems.
  • Bivariate analysis and multi-linear regression identified significant factors (p < 0.05).

Main Results:

  • Medications (60%) and chemicals (40%) were common ingestions.
  • Higher PSS was linked to home remedies, chemical poisoning, unwitnessed incidents, and delayed ED arrival.
  • Delayed arrival significantly impacted gastrointestinal, nervous, and kidney systems.

Conclusions:

  • Home remedies are discouraged for orally poisoned toddlers; immediate ED visit is recommended.
  • Chemical poisonings, unwitnessed incidents, and delayed arrivals correlate with severe outcomes, particularly affecting respiratory, GI, muscular, nervous, and kidney systems.
Abstract

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