G-2193

Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Poisoning Cases in Kashan: A Retrospective Study (2020–2023)

 Zahra Bazarganipour ¹ ℗, Abbas Taghavi Ardakani ² ©, Hamed Mirzaei ³, Habibollah Rahimi ⁴, Melika Arabzade ¹   

 
Abstract

Introduction: Accidental ingestion of toxic substances remains a major cause of emergency room visits among children and adolescents worldwide, largely due to improper storage of cleaning agents and medications. Globally, poisoning results in about 45,000 deaths annually, with a prevalence of 1.8 cases per 100,000 in this age group. In 2014, poisoning ranked as the 13th leading cause of death among individuals aged 15-18 years. This study investigates the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric poisoning cases admitted to Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan from 2020 to 2023. Methods and Materials: This retrospective cross-sectional study reviewed medical records of 379 pediatric patients aged 0-18 years admitted for poisoning between 2020 and 2023 at Kashan University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using a standardized checklist including demographic variables (age, gender, nationality, insurance status, residence), poisoning details (year, season, day, time), clinical presentation (symptoms, organ involvement), type of poison, duration of hospitalization, time elapsed between exposure and hospital admission, and treatment outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Poisoning incidence showed two age-related peaks: 0-2 years and 13-17 years. Girls were more frequently affected, with a mean age of 11 years (range 13-17), whereas boys had a mean age of 8 years, mostly under 4 years old. Nearly 30% of cases occurred in summer, and 56% in the first half of the year. Most patients (97%) were discharged in good condition, with an average hospital stay of 1.5 days; almost 300 patients stayed only one day. Neurological symptoms were most common (72%), followed by digestive symptoms (35%), while 13% were asymptomatic. Single-organ involvement, mainly the nervous system, was seen in 60% of cases, and 9% had multi-organ involvement, indicating more severe poisoning. The main clinical presentations included altered consciousness (e.g., drowsiness, loss of consciousness), nausea, vomiting, restlessness, crying, and shortness of breath. Drug poisoning was most prevalent (62%), followed by chemical agents (36%), and other toxins (2%). Conclusion and Discussion: Pediatric poisoning in Kashan mainly affects girls, with drugs as the leading cause. Incidents peak in the first half of the year, especially in summer. Neurological symptoms, particularly altered consciousness, are most frequent, emphasizing the need for prompt recognition and intervention. These findings highlight the importance of preventive strategies, such as safe storage of medications and toxic substances, to reduce poisoning risks in children and adolescents.

Keywords: Poisoning؛ Child؛ Adolescent؛ Infant؛ Epidemiology