Background: Unintentional poisoning is the leading cause of death in children, making it more critical to be aware of the warning signs and available treatments. Poison may come from common household products to very toxic chemicals.
Objectives: Evaluate pediatric poisoning incidence, management, and outcomes in Qena governorate
Patients and methods: A twelve-month retrospective study (January 2021 to December 2021) at Qena University Hospital. Data included demographics, poisoning details as, symptoms, history of exposure, clinical examination, and extensive lab investigations. Treatment spanned emergency, supportive care, decontamination, enhanced elimination, and antidotes. Outcomes, hospitalization duration, ICU reasons, and dispositions were documented.
Results: Patient Mean age 3.78 years, infants 39%, toddlers 32%, preschoolers 12%, school-age children 7%, adolescents 10%. Gender: 67% female, 33% male. Mean weight 15.78 kg, urban 59%, rural 41%. Median hospital delay 1 hour (0.5-3 hours). Common clinical presentations were Hypotension 25%, respiratory distress 49%, vomiting 38%. ICU admissions prevalence is 44%, average ICU stay of 2.14 days, pediatric department stay of 1.69 days, average time until discharge of 2.63 days. Age correlated positively with Medications/Drugs poisoning and negatively with Toxic/Poisonous Substances. Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, and Systolic Blood Pressure correlated negatively with Medications/Drugs and positively with Toxic/Poisonous Substances. ICU correlated positively with Toxic/Poisonous Substances and Chemical Substances.
Conclusion: Infants and toddlers were most affected, females accounted for 67% of cases, chemical substances were the primary toxins (53%), varied clinical symptoms occurred, gastric wash was common, 44% needed ICU care, and timely intervention is vital to reduce poisoning impact.