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[Comparative study of acute poisonings in Belgian children and immigrant workers children]
Insights
Immigrant children in Brussels were less likely to be hospitalized for acute poisoning but ingested household products and misused medications more frequently than native children. Prevention strategies are discussed.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Acute poisoning in children is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding demographic differences in poisoning etiology is crucial for targeted prevention.
- Previous studies have not extensively compared poisoning patterns between indigenous and immigrant pediatric populations in urban settings.
Abstract:
This survey covers 786 children admitted with acute poisoning to the Saint-Pierre Hospital in Brussels between 1967 and 1976. The type and the frequency of products responsible for poisoning in the indigenous and immigrant children are compared. 45% of children admitted to hospital are immigrants but they constitute only 29% of the children admitted with poisoning. When compared with Belgian children, the immigrants more commonly ingest household products and ordinary drugs are taken more often than prescribed ones, but minor tranquillisers are particularly common. The socio-economic and psychologic factors responsible for these accidents are discussed and methods of prevention are suggested.