Evaluation of poisoning cases admitted to pediatric emergency department

Gamze Gokalp1

  • 1Izmir Katip Celebi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Emergency, Turkey.

Insights

Childhood poisoning is a major concern, with household cleaning products and drugs being common culprits. Secure storage and child-resistant packaging are crucial to prevent accidental poisonings in children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Preventable childhood accidents cause over a million deaths annually.
  • Poisoning is the leading cause of accidental childhood fatalities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the demographic and clinical profiles of pediatric poisoning cases.
  • To identify common poisoning agents and mechanisms in children.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric emergency department cases (0-18 years).
  • Data collected from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2017.
  • Examined poisoning agents, mechanisms, and product storage conditions.

Main Results:

  • 453 patients included; mean age 51.12 months.
  • Most common agents: household cleaning products (46.6%) and drugs (38%).
  • 83.2% of poisonings were accidental; 45.8% of products were not in original packaging, and 95% of those in original packaging were unlocked.

Conclusions:

  • Childhood poisoning has severe consequences.
  • Recommendations include child-resistant packaging and secure storage away from children.
  • Preventive measures are essential to reduce poisoning incidents.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

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...
1.2K
Drug Dosing: Infants and Children01:29

Drug Dosing: Infants and Children

Pediatric patient dosages diverge from adults due to disparities in body surface area, total body water, and extracellular fluid per kilogram of body weight. The dosing regimen considers the variations in pharmacokinetics and pharmacology across distinct age groups, encompassing preterm newborns, infants, young children, older children, and adolescents. Calculation of pediatric patient doses is predicated on determining body surface area, which exhibits a superior correlation with the child's...
221
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
181
Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment01:26

Anticholinesterase Agents: Poisoning and Treatment

Anticholinesterases, also known as cholinesterase inhibitors, work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine, leading to its accumulation in the synaptic cleft. This accumulation indirectly enhances both muscarinic and nicotinic actions. These agents are classified as reversible or irreversible based on their mechanism of action.     
Irreversible agents form a strong bond with the cholinesterase enzyme, making it inactive. The breakdown of the phosphorylated enzyme is...
1.4K
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...
209
Enhanced Elimination of Poison01:26

Enhanced Elimination of Poison

Poison can be effectively removed from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract through various decontamination procedures.
Antidotes serve a crucial role in counteracting the effects of poison by inhibiting enzymes responsible for producing harmful drug metabolites. In some cases, these toxic metabolites can be neutralized by endogenous cosubstrates, which are maintained at specific concentrations to prevent interaction with cellular macromolecules and subsequent cell death.
Renal excretion is the...
820