ABSTRACT
Background: poisoning is a major problem in the pediatric and adolescents population. Poisoning is a main reason for children's admission to emergency units. Medications are the most common poisonous agent in children. Objective: to describe the, futures, and the outcome of treatment of poisoned children admitted to emergency units in different areas of Saudi Arabia
Patients and Methods: in this study, analysis of a retrospective data was done. Data were collected from mothers from different cities in KSA, during the period from 1st January to 31 March 2018. Cases of childhood or adolescents poisoning that were experienced by those mothers within the period were included. A structured close-ended online questionnaire was distributed to collect the relevant data
Results: the study included 96 cases. More than third [35.4%] of children aged 4-8 years, < 4 years constituted 24.0% and adolescents were 19.8%. Males were more than females [57.3% vs. 42.7%]. Mode of poisoning was accidental in 91.8% and intended in 5.2%. As regards mood of administration of poisoned substance, 86. 5% were by ingestion, 7.3% by inhalation and 6.2% by contact of eyes or skin. The type of poison was spoiled food in 55.2%, cleaning compounds, such as chlorine and others in 12.5%, drugs in 7.3%, insecticide in 6.2%, poisonous herbs in 4.2%, narcotic substance in 1% and other substances in13.5%. Symptoms of poisoning was severe diarrhea ,vomiting and excessive sweating by the same percent 31.2%, severe abdominal pain in 14.6%, breathing difficulties in 13.5%, redness of the eyes in 12.5%, fainting in 8.35 and convulsions in 2.1%. As regards outcome of treatment, 93.8% of the cases were improved and cured completely and the overall mortality rate was 3.1%
Conclusion: Accidental childhood and adolescents poisoning in KSA is just like in many other regions. there is thus, the need for public awareness on the proper storage of harmful materials and the need for immediate hospitalization if accidental ingestion occurs. We strongly recommended for regulatory policies on safe keeping drugs to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with accidental poisoning