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Accidental poisoning among children in a regional hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
SAJCH South African Journal of Child Health ; 16(3):184-185, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-2126196
ABSTRACT
Introduction. Poisoning has been reported as the fifth most common cause of injury-related deaths in children <5 years worldwide. Little is known about accidental poisoning among children in the regional setting. During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown measures may have increased home-based unintentional poisoning. Objectives. To determine the frequency, outcome and type of accidental poisoning in children admitted to a regional hospital and compare cases before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods. A review of admissions to Queen Nandi Regional Hospital in Empangeni was performed to document cases of accidental poisoning >2 years. Equal periods during 2019 and 2020 (April to December) were compared. Children <13 years were included. Age, sex, date of admission, death, survival and type of poisoning were collected. Results. Accidental poisoning made up a small proportion of the total admissions (n=252/5 071;4.97%) with a low case fatality rate (0.40%). Boys made up the majority (n=132/252, 52.38%). Most were <5 years (n=220/252, 87.30%,). Medicines (n=114/252, 45.24%), hydrocarbons (n=61/252, 24.21%) and pesticides (n=26/252, 10.32%) were the main types of poisoning. Domestic cleaner, sanitiser or disinfectant-related admissions were significantly increased during the pandemic (p=0.020). Conclusion. Accidental poisoning commonly occurs in younger children. Medicines, hydrocarbons and pesticides make up the majority of cases. Domestic cleaner, hand sanitiser and disinfectant ingestion increased during the COVID pandemic. Future research involving primary care facilities and risk factors related to poisoning should be investigated.
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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: SAJCH South African Journal of Child Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: SAJCH South African Journal of Child Health Year: 2022 Document Type: Article