Pattern of Poisoning in Children, an Experience From a Teaching Hospital in Northern India.

Poisoning is a common medical emergency in children. Most of the poisoning in children is accidental. Unfortunately, the incidence of deliberate poisoning among adolescents is increasing due to changing familial and social conditions in our society. Study design: prospective analysis of poisoning seen in children between January 2010 and December 2013 in an academic center of northern India.Results: Eighty one children (Boys 45, 55%; age median [range] 13 [1-18]) were included. All poisoning episodes were either suicidal (38, 46.9%) or accidental (43, 53.1%). Most of the poisoning events in pre-adolescent children were accidental (34/35, 97%) and among adolescents (13-18 years age group) were suicidal (37/45, 80.4%). The most commonly ingested poisoning agent was kerosene (10/35, 28.6%) in <12 age group and organo-phosphorus compound (8/37, 21.6%) in adolescents. Conclusion: We need to take preventive measures for accidental and intentional poisoning in pre-adolescents and adolescents age group respectively.

Rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata: A missed opportunity for early diagnosis.

A male neonate was born with rhizomelic shortening of limbs. Skeletal radiograph showed punctate calcification of epiphysis of humerus, femur, and tibia. The diagnosis and a brief review of literature pertaining to the condition with emphasis on antenatal diagnosis and counseling are being reported.