Pattern and outcome of poisoning in children: A study from a rural teaching hospital, Western Maharashtra, India

Background: Acute poisoning is a common cause for morbidity and mortality in children. The profile and outcome in children with acute poisoning depend a lot on the socioeconomic status, cultural practices, parental education status and availability of health care. The present study was aimed to analyze the pattern and outcome of pediatric poisoning in rural area. Methodology: This is a retrospective study, conducted over a period of twenty-four months in a rural hospital attached to medical college. Results: The poisoning constituted 4.7% of total admissions in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Male: Female ratio was 1:33. 98(87.5%) of children were less than 5 years of age. Organophosphorus compounds were most commonly (n=55, 49.1%), responsible for poisoning, followed by kerosene (n=20, 17.9%). Thirty percent children had short stay in hospital i.e., less than 48 hours. Overall survival rate noted in the study was 91% (n=103). Conclusion: Poisoning in Pediatric age contributes to significant number of admissions to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in rural area. Insecticide/Pesticides, Kerosene, and plants were leading causes of poisoning.