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Pediatric Poisonings in a Rural Ugandan Emergency Department
Katherine L Boyle1,2, Usha Periyanayagam2,3,4, Kavita M Babu5
1From the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
Pediatric Emergency Care
|October 11, 2017
Summary
Pediatric poisonings in rural Uganda are a significant concern, with common causes including cow tick/organophosphates and hydrocarbons. The study highlights a concerning mortality rate exceeding 2% in young children.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Pediatric poisoning is a critical issue in low-resource settings.
- Understanding local epidemiology is vital for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize pediatric poisonings in a rural Ugandan emergency department.
- To identify demographic factors and common causative agents of poisoning in children under five.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a quality assurance database from a rural Ugandan hospital.
- Inclusion criteria: patients under 5 admitted with suspected poisoning, ingestion, or intoxication.
- Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic data and exposure agents.
Main Results:
- 123 cases (3.6%) of pediatric poisoning were identified between 2009 and 2014.
- Common exposures included cow tick/organophosphates (29.2%), general poison/drug overdose (21.1%), and hydrocarbons (19.5%).
- The 72-hour mortality rate was 2.4%, with fatalities linked to iron, cow tick, and rat poison exposure.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric poisonings represent a substantial health burden in rural sub-Saharan Africa.
- The observed mortality rate underscores the severity of poisoning cases in this setting.
- Further research and preventative strategies are needed to reduce pediatric poisoning incidence and mortality.
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