Muhammad Aqeel, Arshia Munir, Afzal Khan.
Pattern and frequency of acute poisoning in children.
Pak J Med Sci Jan ;25(3):479-83.

Objectives: To determine different agents involved in acute poisoning in children, determine time interval between ingestion of agent and report at the hospital and document its hospital outcome. Methodology: This was descriptive case series study conducted at the Department of Paediatrics (Emergency and General Wards), Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar from Jan 2007 to July 2007. A total of hundred patients with history of acute poisoning were subjected to detailed history and examination regarding different aetiological agents, time interval between ingestion of agent and report at hospital and hospital outcome. Results: Majority of patients were below six years of age, 69% were male while 31% were female. Pharmaceutical agents and kerosene oil poisoning were the leading cause constituting 29% each followed by opiate and organophosphorus constituting 17% and 15% respectively. Fifty three percent of cases belonged to urban while forty seven percent belonged to rural area. Forty percent of cases were brought to the hospital within first hour; followed by 38% and 22 % in 1-6 and more than 6 hours respectively. Ninety four percent of patients were discharged with almost complete recovery while six percent expired during hospital stay. Conclusion: Acute poisoning is an important paediatric medical emergency and has got an important effect on morbidity and mortality in this age group. Toddlers are the most prone group in children to acute poisoning. Kerosene oil, drugs, organophosphorus and opiate are the common aetiological agents of poisoning in children. Hospital outcome is poor in patients with corrosives poisoning.

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