Frequency and Management of Drug and Chemical Poisoning among Children Attending an Emergency Department in a Single Hospital in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background Accidental poisoning is one of the common medical emergencies in children that leads to morbidity and mortality. Medications and chemical agents play a major role in these adverse events resulting in social, economic, and health consequences.

Aims of the study The study aimed to evaluate the frequency and management of poisoning among children attending the emergency room at East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia.

Methods This study was a retrospective chart review of all acute pediatric poisoning incidences in children (0-16 years of age) from October-21-2016 to March-03-2020 who were admitted to the emergency department of East Jeddah Hospital, Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Data was analyzed via SPSS software.

Results A total of 69 incidences of acute poisoning were admitted to the emergency room at East Jeddah Hospital; males were 55.1 %. Most children were under 5 years of age (59.4%). Unintentional poisoning occurred among 56.5% of observed cases of which 52.2% occurred in children younger than 5 years; 7.20% (5) patients were 12 to 16 years of age and had deliberate self-poisoning. The association between type of poisoning and age groups was statistically significant (Chi-square = 28.5057, p = 0.0001). Most incidences occurred at home (92.8%). Medicines were the most common cause of poisoning (73.9%). An excessive dose of prescribed medicine poisoning accidents was reported in 10.1% cases. Analgesics such as paracetamol were the most documented medication associated with poisoning (39.1%) followed by anticonvulsants and other central nervous system active medicines (18.8 %). The most common route of poisoning was oral administration (81.2%). One mortality case was documented due to poisoning.

Conclusion A total of 69 incidences of acute poisoning in children occurred in a single hospital over 3 years. Most incidents were accidental and occurred in children younger than 5 years of age. Medicines were the most common cause of poisoning. Analgesics such as paracetamol were the most common documented medicine associated with poisoning.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding Statement

No external funding was received.

Author Declarations

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

Yes

The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

Management authorization was gained from the Saudi Arabia Ministry of Health (MOH) Reference Number (01190) and ethical approval from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), KSA: (H-02-J-002).

All necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived.

Yes

I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance).

Yes

I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines and uploaded the relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material as supplementary files, if applicable.

Yes

Data Availability

Data are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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