Emergency Department Visits for Pediatric Poisoning in China: A 318-Case Review

BACKGROUND This retrospective study evaluated factors associated with 318 pediatric poisoning patients visiting the Emergency Department (ED) of our hospital in 2023. MATERIAL AND METHODS Clinical data about poisoned children was extracted from the hospital information system. A self-designed form was used to gather patient information, including age, routes by which poisons entered the body, types of poisons, causes of poisoning, treatment before visiting our hospital, season of poisoning, and symptoms of poisoning. RESULTS Of the 318 cases, 36 (11.3%) were caused by psychotropic drugs and 34 (10.7%) were caused by cleaning products. Thirty-five (11%) received treatments from their family members before visiting our ED, but some treatments were ineffective or harmful. The incidence of poisoning in girls was significantly higher than male children (χ²=8.149, P=0.004). A statistically significant difference was identified in incidences of poisoning between different age groups (χ²=449.296; P<0.001). Teens had the highest incidence of poisoning (1.3%), followed by toddlers (0.3%). The incidences of poisoning were significantly different during different seasons of the year (χ²=94.778; P<0.001). Summer (0.26%) had the highest incidence, followed by spring (0.22%). Teen age (OR=137.361, 95% CI: 33.302-566.590, P<0.001) and history of mental illness (OR=46.089, 95% CI: 6.206-505.045, P=0.002) are independent risk factors for intentional poisoning (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Toddlers had high risk of being unintentionally poisoned. Teens (especially those with a history of mental illness) had high risk of being intentionally poisoned. Medications are the most common substances that caused poisoning. More attention should be paid to the accessibility of psychotropic drugs.