Evaluation of Patients Admitted to Pediatric Emergency Department due to Poisoning

Objective: To determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of pediatric patients admitted to our hospital’s emergency department due to poisoning and to provide data that may inform preventive measures and contribute to national records. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed pediatric patients (0–18 years) admitted for poisoning between January 2023 and December 2024. Demographics, exposure characteristics, treatment, disposition, and outcomes were extracted from the hospital information system. Descriptive statistics were reported as frequencies (%) for categorical variables. Results: A total of 328 patients were analyzed. Males accounted for 51.5% of cases. The most common age group at presentation was 3–6 years (45.1%). The most frequent season of presentation was summer (37.8%). The most common cause of poisoning was drugs (60.4%), followed by food, corrosive substances, and carbon monoxide, respectively. The overall hospitalization rate was 53.7%, with 20.7% requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Mortality was 2.2%. Conclusion: Childhood poisonings remain a preventable public health problem. Strengthening family education, safe storage practices, and standardized ED protocols can reduce morbidity and mortality.