Epidemiological Study of Pediatric and Adolescent Poisoning Cases in a Rural Tertiary Care Centre in South India

Authors

  • Dominic Infant Raj Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy
  • Arun Pinchu Xavier Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy.
  • Vigneshwaran. S Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy
  • Rajendra Kumar R Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy
  • Austoria .A.J Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.37506/mmqf0r53

Keywords:

pediatric poisoning, patients, ingestion, vomiting, hospitalization, complication,

Abstract

Pediatric poisoning covers the entire spectrum of cases from accidental ingestion in toddlers to intentional abuse in teenagers. Epidemiological surveillance of oral ingestion of poisonous substances in children and adolescents in a particular area is necessary to determine the extent and characteristics of the problem, according to which related preventive measures can be taken. This was a retrospective, observational study including all pediatric poisoning patients (between the age of 0 to 19 years) received at the Trichy SRM Medical college & Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy during the 2 year period from May 2021 to April 2023. A total of 52 cases were received in the casualty department of our hospital during the study period. Out of this, Male patients were predominant (53.85%). Most of the cases belonged to the age group between 16- 19 Years . Most of the cases were from the Rural areas (82.69%).Accidental Poisoning (61.54%) is more common followed by suicidal poisoning (38.46%). The substances involved in Poisoning are Kerosene(19%),Rat Killer (10%), Paracetamol(10%), Oleander(8%), ant-killer (8%), Organo-phosphorus Poisoning(6%) among many others. Most of the time the poisoning happened inside Home(65%) followed by area surrounding home(17%). Oral route (88%) was the most common way of taking poison. Most cases took less than 4 hours (71%)  to reach the hospital. Vomiting was the most common symptom in most of the cases. 23 cases (44%) were requiring intensive care of which only 8 cases (15%) needed more than 3 days of ICU care.

Author Biographies

  • Dominic Infant Raj, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy

    Associate Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine,Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy.

  • Arun Pinchu Xavier, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy.

     Associate Professor ,Department of Forensic Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy. 

  • Vigneshwaran. S, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy

    Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy.

  • Rajendra Kumar R, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy

    Professor and Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy. 

  • Austoria .A.J , Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy

    Associate Professor ,Department of Community Medicine, Trichy SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy. 

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Published

2024-10-09

How to Cite

Epidemiological Study of Pediatric and Adolescent Poisoning Cases in a Rural Tertiary Care Centre in South India. (2024). Indian Journal of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, 18(4), 55-58. https://doi.org/10.37506/mmqf0r53