Sevilay Kök, Belen Ateş, Alper Kaçar, Hüseyin Dağ, Vefik Arıca
The Injector - 2025;4(2):52-59
Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological and demographic characteristics of childhood poisoning cases. Methods: Patients admitted to the Pediatric Emergency Department due to drug and non-drug toxin poisoning within a 2-year period were evaluated retrospectively. Substance abusers, chronic medication poisonings, drug reactions, and insect bites were excluded from the study. Patient age, gender, date/time of admission, time of poisoning, causative agents, reason for ingestion, frequency of calls to the poison control center, complaints and findings at admission, interventions and treatments, clinical outcomes, and follow-up duration were recorded and evaluated using hospital records. Results: The total number of pediatric emergency department visits during the study period was 360,945. Of the cases presented to the pediatric emergency clinic over the 2-year period, 880 (0.24%) were diagnosed with intoxication. The majority of cases were in the 1-5-year age group (57.4%). Of all patients, 55% were girls and 45% were boys. Drugs were the most common cause of poisoning (64.7%, n = 569/880). Among drug- related poisonings, analgesics and antipyretics were the leading agents (9.3% of all cases). Medication poisonings were more common in girls (59.4%), while other poisonings were more common in boys (53.5%). The proportion of suicidal poisoning was significantly higher in girls (33.7%) and occurred predominantly in adolescents (p < 0.001). One-third of female adolescents presented with suicidal poisonings, representing a significant clinical concern. Poisoning from environmental or exposure agents were significantly higher in boys (60.4%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Childhood poisonings represent a preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Prevention is achievable only through raising public awareness and implementing appropriate protective measures.
