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Acute Poisoning in Children in Bahia, Brazil

Dilton Rodrigues Mendonça1, Marta Silva Menezes1, Marcos Antônio Almeida Matos1

  • 1Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saude Publica, Salvador, Brazil.

Global Pediatric Health
|June 24, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Acute childhood poisoning is common, especially in toddlers. Medications and animal bites were leading causes, with most cases being mild and having low fatality rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Acute poisoning represents a significant public health concern in pediatric populations.
  • Children under 4 years old are particularly vulnerable to accidental poisoning events.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of acute poisoning cases in children.
  • To identify the primary toxic agents and outcomes associated with pediatric poisoning.

Main Methods:

  • A descriptive epidemiological study was conducted.
  • Data were collected from standardized Poison Control Center forms and patient records.
  • Cases of acute poisoning in children aged 0–14 years between 2008 and 2012 were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • A total of 657 cases were recorded, with a higher incidence in males (53.4%) and children aged 1–4 years (48.7%).
  • Accidental poisonings accounted for 92% of cases; suicide attempts were 5.8%.
  • Predominant toxic agents included medications (28.5%), venomous animals (19.3%), and household cleaning products (9.0%). Most cases were mild (73.5%), with 18% requiring hospitalization and a low lethality rate (0.5%).

Conclusions:

  • Childhood acute poisoning is a frequent occurrence, predominantly accidental, with medications and animal-related exposures being common culprits.
  • The majority of pediatric poisoning cases present with mild symptoms, necessitating appropriate management and prevention strategies.
  • Effective public health interventions and parental education are crucial for reducing the incidence and severity of childhood poisoning.

Keywords:
adolescent medicineallergy/immunologycritical caregeneral pediatricsmedical education

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