Ingestions accidentelles de produits toxiques chez l'enfant : a propos de 308 cas observes au centre medico-social d'Elf Congo; Pointe-Noire

A partir de 308 cas d'intoxications colliges en 6 ans chez l'enfant de 0 a 5 ans; les auteurs ont evalue a 6;3 pour cent la frequence hospitaliere de cette pathologie. Les toxiques les plus souvent en cause etaient le petrole : 213 cas (69;2 pour cent) et les medicaments : 63 cas (20;4 pour cent). L'indigestion avait lieu au domicile familial dans 268 cas (87 pour cent) et le delai de prise en charge therapeutique etait compris entre 2 et 6 heures dans 55;8 pour cent. Les auteurs insistent sur la prevention des intoxications par l'education pour la sante

A propos des intoxications

"L'auteur passe en revue les principaux aspects de la toxicologie clinique et l'implication de cette derniere dans la resolution des problemes de sante individuelle et communautaire qui se posent avec acuite dans la societe moderne. En fait; l'on ne peut vivre sans chimie. Mais cette ""chimisation"" a outrance n'est pas sans danger pour la sante de l'homme. C'est ainsi que l'analyse toxicologique se revele efficace et necessaire pour la protection de la population"

Attempted suicide by drug overdose in Kuwait

During 3 years, 227 cases of parasuicide by drugs and other chemicals were admitted to a teaching hospital in Kuwait serving a population of about 240 000 [40% Kuwaitis and 60% non-Kuwaitis]. These patients formed 3% of all acute medical admissions. Females, outnumbered by males in the population [1:1.5], formed 77%, and were significantly younger than males [22.5+6.1 and 26.05+7.2 years respectively]. All the patients were under 50 years old, 3% were older than 40, and 2.6% aged 13-15 years. The average annual parasuicide hospitalization rate was 57 per 100 000 in the population age groups mainly affected [15 to 50 years]; being higher in Kuwaitis [95] than non-Kuwaitis [46], and in females [81], than in males [24]. The parasuicide recorded was the first attempt in 87%; one drug was used by 67%, and in 74.7% of the cases the drug was prescribed to the patient or a relative. Paracetemol was used by 36.5% of patients, aspirin by 19%, barbiturates by 8%, tranquillisers and antidepressants by 14.5%, and liquid chemicals by 11%. Fenfluramine was used by 4.8% other drugs by 18%; and 12.7% used unknown drugs. A psychiatrist assessed 112 cases. Established psychiatric illness was diagnosed in 34.8% of the patients affecting 28.2% of the referred females and 55.5% of the referred males. The hospital mortality was 0.88%