Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate childhood poisoning at our hospital and to draw the attention to the increasing incidence of childhood poisoning. Material and Method: In this retrospective study, the records of 123 cases who were hospitalized due to poisoning between January 1standMay 1stin 1994 were evaluated. Their age, sex, the type of material ingested, initial complaints, hospitalization time, the duration of hospitalization, treatment protocols were investigated. Results: Eighty percent of cases studied were younger than five years old with a male/female ratio of 1.2. The toxic agents ingested orexposedwere as follows: Drugs 61%, hydrocarbon compound 17%, food7.2%, organic phosphorus 6.5%, ratpoison4%, CO 2.4% and other chemicals 1.7%. Ninety five percent of cases wereexposed to the toxic agents accidentally whereas 4.8 % had ingested onpurpose. Conclusion: Poisoning is observed more commonly in children younger than five years old. Drugs and hydrocarbon compounds are the most common agents causing childhood poisoning. Keeping children away from these agents canprevent these types of poisoning.

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