Acute Poisoning in Children: Data of a Tertiary Care Unit

Abstract

Children are curious and explore their world with all their senses, including taste. As a result, the home and its surroundings can be a dangerous place when poisonous substances are inadvertently ingested. Poisoning in pediatric patients is a common and preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. Incidence of childhood poisoning in India is 0.23-3.3%. 50-90% of all childhood poisoning cases are between 1-5yrs age group and mortality rate is 3-5% and males outnumber females and mainly are due to accidental consumption. Suicidal poisoning is common after 13years of age and is due to household chemicals and drugs. Profile and outcome of poisoned patients in a given region is influenced by the social, economic and cultural practices prevalent and also by the availability and the quality of the medical facilities. With this background we conducted this study in the department of Pediatrics of Shri B. M. Patil Medical College hospital and research Centre, Vijayapura.