Acute poisoning in children: etiological agents, risk factors and outcomes

A total of 70 patients were thus included. The patients were followed till discharge. A Proforma was filled and results were analyzed on SPSS version 10 of computer programme. All consecutive patients of poisoning who visited the Emergency Ward during the study period fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. The mean age was 2.89 years with range of 6 months to 10 years. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. Kerosene was the commonest agent accounting for 50% of all cases, followed by pharmaceutical products [14.3%] and chemicals [12.9%]. Storage of Kerosene in empty bottles of beverages and lack of proper storage of drugs were the commonest risk factors identified. Oral ingestion was the most common route of intoxication. Most of the patients [84.3%] were discharged without any sequelae. Overall mortality was 5.7%. Conclusion most of toxic substances to which children were exposed were those stored in eatable containers i.e. kerosene oil. Minority of children with accidental poisoning developed serious toxicity. Parents can prevent many of these accidents by identifying, adequately storing and locking away toxic material

Frequency, risk factors and outcome in admitted Neonates presenting with hypothermia

Neonatal hypothermia is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in preterm and low birth weight babies especially in developing countries. This study was performed to describe the frequency, associated risk factors and outcome of neonatal hypothermia in admitted cases. This was an observational study carried out in prospective manner. Study population consisted of 500 neonates admitted to neonatal unit of the Children's Hospital, Lahore during the months of January and February 2006. Various variables were recorded in a predesigned proforma and outcome was analyzed. The overall frequency of hypothermia was 34.8%. It was significantly associated with low birth weight [p<0.05], prematurity [p<0.0.5], shifting from outside Lahore [p<0.05], and history of birth asphyxia [p<0.05]. Mortality in hypothermic neonates was significantly higher than the non hypothermic ones [p<0.05]. The risk of mortality was recognized to be higher in hypothermic than the non hypothermic admitted neonates

Indicators of early outcome in neonatal sepsis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate different parameters predicting outcome of neonatal sepsis. It was carried out at the neonatal unit of Ghurki Trust Teaching Hospital, Lahore from February 2004 to May 2005. This was an analytical comparative study performed prospectively. A total of 100 culture proven cases of neonatal sepsis were included. Complete data including birth weight and time interval between onset of symptoms and arrival at hospital was recorded. Complete blood counts and arterial blood gas analysis were performed in all cases. Overall mortality was 37%. Among the total of 100 cases 51% [n=51] were low birth weight [LBW] while 49% [n=49] were of normal birth weight, 40.7% [n=24] expired from LBW group, while 26.5% [n=13] from those with normal birth weight. Mortality was higher [P<0.05] in LBW babies. Among them 29.03% [n=18] expired from those who reached within 24 hrs of onset of symptoms [n=62] whereas 50% [n=19] expired from those who reached after 24 hrs [n=38]. This difference was also significant [P<0.05]. Hypothermia affected 39% of the cases. Mortality was significantly higher [P<0.05] in cases who developed hypothermia. Among laboratory parameters, leukopaenia, thrombocytopaenia, and acidosis were individually associated with high mortality [P<0.05], while leukocytosis was not significantly [P>0.05] associated with neonatal mortality. It was concluded that neonatal sepsis has high mortality. Some of the clinical and laboratory parameters are useful to recognize high-risk cases. Early referral can reduce mortality. Long-term follow-up of the survivors is indicated