ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The incidence of infectious disease, which has been the cause of death in pediatric period, was decreased. But, the opportunistic exposure to toxic substance shows a tendency to increase. We performed this study in order to find out preventive measures and the latest inclination of acute poisoning in childhood. METHODS: From January 1985 to July 1996, 88 children with acute drug and chemical poisoning, who diagnosed at Presbyterian Medical Center, were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: 1) It occurred more frequently in male than female (1.7:1) and high incidence was noted in 0-4 year-old age group (75%). 2) Annual distribution of poisoning shows a tendency to increased. 3) There was no significant seasonal difference in frequency of poisoning. 4) The vast majority (85%) of poison exposure were accidental and therapeutic intent was present in 7.5% of cases and suicidal intent was 7.5% of cases. 5) We noticed an hourly predominance with most accidents occurring from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., 35% respectively. 6) Categories with the largest numbers of total exposure, in descending order by exposure frequently, include the following : drug (30.1%), insecticide (20.4), rodenticide (12.9%), glacial acetic acid (13.9%), herbicide (4.3%), Carbon monoxide (3.2%), others (13%). So, food and household material are leading cause of poisoning, except drug. Of drug, DDS was the most common and then psychotherapeutic drugs were the next. 7) The chief complaints on admission were nausea and vomiting (32%), mental change (26%) irritability (9%), peripheral cyanosis (8%), seizure (5%), and in case of 20%, the patient were found incidentally without symptoms. 8) There were complications which were pneumonia, pulmonary fibrosis, esophageal stricture and pneumothorax. And death occurred in 4 cases, due to insecticide (2 cases), herbicide and rodenticide, 1 case respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In previous report in Korea, causative substance of poisoning were drug, carbone monoxide, insecticide, rodenticide in descending order. In our study, drug was the most common cause of poisoning. But it' s proportion was decreased compared with previous report, and carbone monoxide intoxication was markedly decreased. But, we noticed that the proportion of household material, such as glacial acetic acid and other household chemical, was increased. So, we should be pay more attention to poisoning and try to prevent them.