Acute Poisoining of Infants and Children-Comparative Study of last 2 Decades in Urban and Rural areas

ABSTRACT

Two hundred and thirteen cases of acute poisoning who were admitted in pediatric wards of Severance Hospital and Won ju Christian Hospital from April, 1966 to March, 1976 (10 years) were statistically analyzed and compared it with the statistical study of same hospitals from April, 1956 to March, 1966 (10 years). 1. Incidence of poisoning was 1.2% of all admitted cases. Severance Hospital and Won ju Christian Hospital were corresponding to 0.9% and 2.0% of all pediatric admitted patients respectively 2. Sex incidence was more higher in boys than girls, The highest incidence (39%) was noted in the 1 to 4 year age group. 3. Seasonal incidence was more prevalent in summer months. (form June to August) 4. Fortyseven kinds of various poisonous substances were observed to be causative. The most common causative was insecticide (made for aggricultual use) which was 52% of all cases. (Severance Hospital 37%, Won ju Christian Hospital 76%). Drug (23%), CO gas (8.5%) and rodenticide (5%) were the next common causative agnts. 5. Poisoning of accidental cause was frequent (69%) than therapeutic and suicidal purpose, which were 26% and 6% respectively. 6. Mortality rate was 8% and insecticide was the most common cause of death. 7. There was no statistically significant difference between the past study and this study which were performed from two same hospitals in sex incidence, age incidence, seasonal distribution, motivations of poisoning, duration from poisoning to arrival to emergency room and mortality rate. In the past study the most common causative substance was CO gas in Severance Hospital and insecticide in Won ju Christian Hospital. In this study insecticide become the most common causative substance in both hospitals and the incidence was significantly increased than the past. Drug was second common causative agent. Lye was markedly decreased poisoning to compare with past study. Incidence of patients who were treated at the other clinic was increased from 14% to 33%.