Profile of Accidental Poisoning in Children: Studied at Urban Based Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Objective: To study profile of accidental poisoning in 1yr-12 yr children admitted at Paediatric ward in Calcutta national medical college & hospital, (CNMCH) Kolkata from April 2018-March 2019 and their outcome. Method: All children admitted at CNMCH children ward from 1 to 12 year with accidental poisoning excluding all bites-including snake bite, scorpion sting etc. The age group, nature, type of poison, symptom complex & response to therapy were studied. Result: 201 children of 9 month to 12 year with accidental exposure to poisoning admitted in a tertiary care centre. Common age group affected in the study is below 3 yrs (75%).Boy child commonly affected & common poisoning was kerosene oil (52.2%) followed by turpentine oil (14.9%). Among medication, poisoning (4.97%) not only due accidental ingestion but due to overdosing. Other Rare causes of poisoning was Phenyl, Rat killer, Mosquito repellent/oil, bed bug killer etc. Mortality of the patient was 0.49 % .30% cases (>14 days) suffering was prolonged. PICU management was needed in 1.99% cases. Conclusion: Most common cause of accidental poisoning was kerosene ingestion in rural children. Male children of toddler age group was involved commonly.