Background: Acute children poisoning is considered a serious issue worldwide, and a common cause of children morbidity and mortality. It is a preventable burden on emergency departments and healthcare facilities. Thus, surveillance of epidemiology and pattern of acute children poisoning in each country is beneficial to define the scope of the problem and its management regarding prevention and treatment. The aim of this work is to study the pattern of acute children poisoning in Banha poisoning control center, Banha University, Egypt. Methods: One year prospective cross-sectional study of the pattern of acute poisoning of children equal to or less than 18 years old, who presented to Banha poisoning control center from January 1st 2019 to December 31st 2019. The analyzed data included demographics, manner and route of poisoning, causative poisonous agents, clinical presentation
and patients' outcome. Results: The peak of poisoning occurred in children from 2 to 6 years old with a percentage of (36.5%) of all cases. There was accidental manner predominance which represented (82.1%) of cases. Pharmaceutical drugs were the most common cause of poisoning (42.3%) followed by household products (27.8%). In addition, poisoning occurred more indoors (91%) and in summer season (45.2%). The majority of poisoned cases presented by mild symptoms (70.9%) mainly gastrointestinal ones (70.8%). As regards the outcome most of cases recovered and discharged. Conclusion: Acute children poisoning is still a matter of great concern in Egypt. More concern and prevention strategies are needed. |
