Kerosene poisoning in children, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Accidental kerosene poisoning is one of the most common forms of acute childhood poisoning in most of the developing countries. In this study, 112 children aged between ten months and 12 years, with a history of kerosene ingestion, were included in the study [93.8% were below the age of five years, with a male to female ratio of 1.9:1]. Drowsiness was the most common and early symptom occurring in 75% and lasted for a short period of time [2-6 hours]; while respiratory symptoms were predominant, fever occurred in 58% of the children and was not present on admission, but developed in the first 12 hours post-ingestion. Acidosis and cyanosis on presentation as signs of severity were seen in four children, two of whom were severely ill and died from respiratory failure. Changes in the chest X-ray were noted in 56.2% of the children on admission, with 28.6% perihilar infiltrate and 19.2% basal infiltrate. Other findings such as pleural effusions, collapse of the lung, emphysema, pneumothorax and pneumomediastinum were seen on chest X-ray taken during the course of admission in ill patients. Central nervous system [CNS] manifestations other than drowsiness included irritability in 14.7% and convulsion in two children

Social and environmental aspects of kerosene poisoning in children in Jeddah

The main objective of the present study was to identify the social and enviornmenal aspects of kerosene poisoning in children, at King Abdulaziz Hospital [KAH], Jeddah. An open-ended questionnaire to the attending member of the family; by the attending physician in emergency was carried out in the emergency department KAH, during the period from April 1992 to May 1995. Kerosene poisoning was observed to be more common in children aged 1-3 years [86.5%], living in overcrowded homes [89.5%], with poor facilities [83.5%], and in homes where kerosene was stored in beverage containers easily accessible to the children, 80.5% of the families sought medical help within the first 2 hours after ingestion. Knowledge of toxic nature of kerosene was lacking in most of the families. The study indicated that kerosene poisoning was common in children of families living in overcrowded homes with minimum facilities, in which kerosene was easily accessible to children. Public awareness is needed to educate the families of the hazards of kerosene poisoning