Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences

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ISSN 1681-715X

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Volume 25

January - March 2009

Number  1


 

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Acute poisoning in children

Shideh Assar1, Shiva Hatami2, Elena Lak3,
Mohamad Pipelzadeh4, Morteza Joorabian5

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To find out the common causes of poisoning in infants and children.
Methodology: In a retrospective cross-sectional study we evaluated all infants & children who were hospitalized due to acute poisoning between 2001 to 2004 in two Ahwaz university hospitals.
Results: One hundred forty three cases were evaluated, 71% of poisonings occurred in the age range of 1-5 years. Causes were accidental ingestion (77.8%), given by others (16%) and suicide attempts (6.2%). The most common ingested substances were petroleum products (16%). Alkaline cleaners (12.6%), Opiates (11.9%), Tricyclic Antidepressants (8.4%) and Benzodiazepines (7.7%). About 2.8% of cases were multi-drug poisoning. Opiates were the most common agents which accounted for poisoning in below 6 months old. Decreased level of consciousness (67.6%) and vomiting (50%) were the most common signs and symptoms. There was no mortality in this study.
Conclusion: Petroleum products are still common source of poisoning but their frequency is decreasing. Parents should be educated about the harms of some herbal agents containing opiates and on safe storage of medicines and household products.

KEYWORDS: Poisoning, Children.

Pak J Med Sci    January - March 2009    Vol. 25 No. 1    51-54

How to cite this article:

Assar S, Hatami S, Lak E, Pipelzadeh M, Joorabian M. Acute poisoning in children. Pak J Med Sci 2009;25(1):51-54.


1. Shideh Assar,
Pediatric Specialty, Assistant Prof. of Paediatrics
2. Shiva Hatami,
Consultant Physician
3. Elena Lak,
Consultant Physician
4. Mohamad Pipelzadeh,
Consultant Physician
5. Morteza Joorabian,
Consultant Physician
1-5: Clinical Research Center, Golestan Hospital,
Jundishapour Medical University,
Ahwaz, Iran.

Correspondence

Hideh Assar
Assistant Professor of Paediatrics,
Paediatric Department, Golestan Hospital
Ahwaz Jundishapour Medical University,
Postal code: 61355-173, Ahwaz – Iran.
Email: assarsh@yahoo.com

* Received for Publication: December 11, 2007
* Revision Received: September 24, 2008
* Revision Accepted: November 15, 2008



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