Evaluation of forensic cases admitted to pediatric intensive care unit

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric forensic cases to contribute to the literature and to preventive health care services. Material and Methods:Pediatric forensic cases hospitalized in our pediatric intensive care unit below the age of 17 years were reviewed retrospectively (January 2009-June 2014) . The patients were evaluated in two groups as physical traumas (Group A) and poisonings (Group B). The patients' age, gender, complaints at presentation, time of presentation and referral (season, time) and, mortality rates were determined. Cases of physical trauma (Group A) were classified as traffic accidents, falling down from height, falling of device, drowning, electric shock, burns and child abuse. Poisonings (Group B) were classified as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, other chemicals and unknown drug poisonings.Results: Two hundred twenthy cases were included. The mean age was 5.1+3.1 years. One hundred fifteen (%52.5) of the cases were male and 105 (%47.5) were female. Group A consisted of 62 patients and Group B consisted of 158 patients. The patients presented most frequently in summer months. The most common reason for presentation was falling down from height (12.7%) in Group A and accidental drug poisoning (most frequently antidepressants) in Group B. The mortality rate was 5%. Conclusion:Forensic cases in the pediatric population (physical trauma and poisoning) are preventable health problems. Especially, preventive approach to improve the environment for falling down from height must be a priority. Increasing the awareness of families and the community on this issue, in summer months during which forensic cases are observed most frequently can contribute to a reduction in the number of cases. (Turk Pediatri Ars 2015; 50: 145-50)

An Evaluation of the Hospitalized Pediatric Forensic Cases at a Tertiary Hospital

“…Çocuk yoğun bakımda yatırılarak takip edilen adli olguların incelendiği ulusal bir çalışmada olguların %71,8'inin zehirlenme kaynaklı kalan %28,2'sinin ise travma kaynaklı başvurular olduğu saptanmıştır. 24 Bu çalışmada travma kaynaklı olguların en sık yatış sebebi olarak yüksekten düşme olguları (%62,9) raporlanmıştır. Çalışmamızda da benzer şekilde yoğun bakım yatış ihtiyacı olan travma olguları (n=69) incelendiğinde en sık sebebin yüksekten düşme olguları (n=27, %39,1) olarak kaydedildiği gözlenmiştir.…”

“…Her iki çalışmada da ilaç kaynaklı zehirlenmeler içerisinde en sık sebebin antidepresan ilaçlar olduğu kaydedilmiştir. 24,25 Çalışmamızda da benzer olarak antidepresanlar yoğun bakım yatış nedenleri içerisinde en üst sırada yer almaktaydı.…”

The evaluation of pediatric forensic cases presented to emergency department

“…The mortality rate in the cases hospitalized was 1.6-9%. They were reported to be traumatic cases [20,25]. In another study conducted, even though life-threatening cases constituted 7.4% of the admissions, death was not reported at the emergency department.…”

“…Although there were variations in the studies conducted, it was stated that pediatric forensic cases were mostly based on falling and traffic accidents, which were subsequently followed by assaults and intoxications [19]. Traumatization was stated to be more frequent in male children while intoxications were more frequent in female children [20]. In non-traumatic cases, committing intoxications were observed to be more frequent.…”

War and Children: Effect of Syria Civil War on a Pediatric Emergency Department, 750 km Away from the Border

“…Çocukluk çağında zehirlenmeler yaş gruplarına göre değişmekle beraber en sık ilaçlarla ve kaza ile olmaktadır. 16,17 Çalışmamızdaki zehirlenme nedenleri sıklık sırasına göre ilaçlar, karbonmonoksit inhalasyonu ve korozif madde alımıdır. Bu zehirlenme nedenlerinin dağılımının ve yabancı cisim yutma sıklığının ağır yaşam koşulları, uygun olmayan ısınma yöntemleri ve çocukların gözetimindeki ihmaller ile ilişkili olabileceği düşünüldü.…”