Objective:
To evaluate the epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary pattern of drug poisoning in a pediatric department.
Methods:
Retrospective descriptive study including patients hospitalized in the department of pediatrics and neonatology of Hbib Bougatfa hospital in Bizerta (Tunisia) over a period of 3 years from 01/01/2019 to 31/12/2021.
Results:
We collected 57 patients during the study period. The incidence of drug intoxication was 1.5%. Sex ratio (M/F) was 1.5. Mean age was 4 years. In most cases, patients were the youngest of their siblings. Higher frequency was noticed in spring (39%). The intoxications occurred during postmeridian hours in 62.5% of cases. It was accidental in 80% of cases. The average delay between intoxication and consultation was 10 hours. Patients were subjected to induced vomiting and milk intake in 11% of cases. The majority of cases were asymptomatic. Liver damage was noted in 7 % of cases, heart failure and kidney damage in 1.7% of cases. The large majority of drugs was benzodiazepines, B2 mimetics and paracetamol. Gastric lavage was performed in 12.3% of cases. Activated charcoal was administered in 3.5% of cases. Only 5.2% of cases received an antidote. Mean duration of hospital stay was 2 days. The evolution was favorable in the majority of cases.
Conclusion:
Childhood poisoning remains a common medical problem. Although evolution was favorable in most cases, primary prevention including parental education and child supervision is essential to ovoid dramatic issues.
References:
Shotar AM. Drug poisoning in childhood. Saudi Med J. 2005;26(12):1948-50.
Maior MDCLS, Osorio-de-Castro CGS, Andrade CLT. Demographics, deaths and severity indicators in hospitalizations due to drug poisoning among children under age five in Brazil. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2020(9);23:e200016.

Drug poisoning in children: Data of Tunisian pediatric department

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