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SEVERE ACUTE TOXIC EXPOSURES IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: CASE SERIES
Daniela Brianne Martins Dos Anjos1, Adriana Safioti Toledo Ricardi1, Carla Fernanda Borrasca Fernandes1
1Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Summary
Severe acute toxic exposures (SATE) in individuals under 20 are primarily caused by scorpion stings, medicines, and chemicals. Adolescents are more frequently affected, often due to intentional self-poisoning.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Severe acute toxic exposures (SATE) in pediatric populations pose significant public health challenges.
- Poison Control Centers (PCCs) play a crucial role in managing and tracking these cases.
- Understanding the epidemiology and causes of SATE in young individuals is vital for prevention and intervention.
Observation:
- A case series analyzed 30 patients under 20 years old with SATE (Poisoning Severity Score 3 or 4) from 2014-2015.
- Exposures were predominantly unintentional (15) or intentional (14), with a higher incidence in adolescents over 14.
- Key agents included venomous animals (scorpions), medications, chemicals, and illegal rodenticides (chumbinho).
Findings:
- Scorpion stings, medication poisonings, and chemical exposures were the leading causes of SATE in this cohort.
- Intentional self-poisoning was a significant factor, particularly among adolescents.
- Three patients experienced long-term sequelae, such as esophageal stricture, highlighting the severity of these exposures.
Implications:
- Findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies for adolescent self-poisoning and accidental exposures in children.
- Enhanced public awareness campaigns regarding the dangers of specific agents like scorpions and illegal rodenticides are recommended.
- Strengthening PCC surveillance and data collection systems is essential for monitoring trends and informing public health policies related to pediatric toxicology.
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