Drowning in children: Aseer Central Hospital experience, Southwestern Saudi Arabia

To study the reasons, magnitude and outcome of drowning following submersion in water of children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Aseer Province, Saudi Arabia. A retrospective cohort study of all pediatric patients [0-13] years old who drowned and were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Aseer Central Hospital, Southwestern Saudi Arabia, between January 1[st] 1999 and December 31[st] 2009. A total of 19 cases were admitted following submersion in water. The mean age was 5.2 years +/- 3.8. Majority of victims [94.1%] were from the highland areas. Events most frequently occurred in the summer [46.7%], followed by spring and winter, 33.3% and 20%, respectively. Home events constituted 44.4% of submersion cases. Of these, 55.6% drowned in a washing container, while 53.4% submersed in swimming pools. Twenty-two percent of these accidents occurred in the sea and in wells while 11.1% occurred in a lake. The mean duration of submersion was 4.04 minutes +/- 5.35. Cardiac arrest was reported upon arrival at hospital in 42.1% of the victims. There were seven deaths [36.8%] and in one patient [5.2%] there was severe brain injury. In all deceased cases, no adults were watching the children when the accidents occurred. Drowning is a significant risk factor facing our children and can claim lives. The media as well as the authority should play a major role in increasing the public awareness to minimize or prevent such a problem

Cantharidin poisoning due to blister beetle ingestion in children: two case reports and a review of clinical presentations

Cantharidin is an intoxicant found in beetles in the Meloidae [Coleoptera] family. Ingestion may result in haematemesis, impaired level of consciousness, electrolyte disturbance, haematurea and renal impairment. Here, we report two paediatric cases of meloid beetle ingestion resulting in cantharidin poisoning and the clinical presentation of the ensuing intoxication

Maternal satisfaction and awareness regarding pediatric services at a tertiary hospital in Southwestern Saudi Arabia

Satisfaction of health service user is the most important aim for health provider. We observed and heard many dissatisfactory comments among people utilizing health services in Aseer Central Hospital, Saudi Arabia which led us to conduct this study to verify these comments. During a 12-month period [April 2001 - March 2002] we undertook a systematic sample collection on every 7th mother upon discharge through an Arabic speaking nurse. Participants answered questionnaires; and we encoded and analyzed the result using SPSS software package. One hundred ninety-seven mothers completed the study. There were 93 female and 104 male patients. Mothers rated the satisfaction regarding health services at the Pediatric Department as excellent [71.6%], very good [20.3%] and bad [1%]. Ninety-seven percent of mothers feel that the treating physician was in close contact with them, and the nature of disease was explained to them by the treating physician in 78.7% of the cases. Other parameters were tested including using the hospital as training facilities for the student as well as cleanliness and food services. All of which received satisfactory rating. This study confirms mother's satisfaction regarding health services provided to them which is contrary to the belief of the community. It also supports the fact that using hospital for teaching purposes does not affect the mother's satisfaction