Pattern of acute pediatric poisoning in Middle Delta Poison Control Centers

Background Pediatric poisoning is considered an important issue in many countries and accounts for a significant workload for emergency department consultations and hospital admissions. Thus, special epidemiological surveillance for each country is necessary to determine the problem according to which preventive measures can be taken. Aim The aim of this study was to determine the extent of acute pediatric poisoning in poison control centers located in Middle Delta as regards collected data. Patients and methods This retrospective study involved acutely poisoned pediatric patients aged less than or equal to 18 years old, who presented to poison control centers located in the Middle Delta in the 3 years period which extended from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2014. The data had been collected from poison control centers located in the Middle Delta. The collected data included demographics, substance of exposure, manner of poisoning, data of clinical examination, data obtained from routine laboratory investigation, and patient’s outcome. Results The findings of the study demonstrated that poisoning of children less than 6 years constituted the highest percentage. The majority of patients of acute poisoning were accidental. Accidental poisoning gradually decreases with increase in age. The most frequent poisoning caused by accidental manner was corrosives, while the most frequent poisoning in patients who attempt suicide was cholinesterase-inhibitor pesticides. Cholinesterase-inhibitor pesticides and corrosives constituted the highest percentage of poisoning. The most frequent manifestation was gastrointestinal manifestation and chest manifestation. Conclusion Poisoning of children constituted an important issue in Egypt. Poisoning of children less than 6 years constituted the highest percentage.