Patterns of acute poisoning among children in rural sri lanka

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:The study describes the patterns of demographic characteristics, poison related factors, clinical management and outcome following acute poisoning among children (9 months - 12 years) in rural Sri Lanka.METHOD:The current multi-centre study was hospital based and involved the two major hospitals (Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa), and 34 peripheral hospitals of the North Central province of Sri Lanka (NCP). Total period covered by the study was seven years. Major part of data collections was carried out at Anuradhapura hospital prospectively for two years using interviewer administered questionnaire based assessments.RESULTS:Among 1621 children, boys (59%) outnumbered girls and most were of preschool age group. Majority belonged to the farming community. Commonest poison and type of poison were kerosene oil and household poisons respectively in most studies. Both male and female children ingested pesticides least. Most had unintentional poisoning and incidents mostly occurred within their own house premises. First aid measures were practised by one third of care givers and there were six incidents of aspiration pneumonia as detrimental effects of first aid measures and guardians were unaware of these effects in all cases. Commonest reasons for delayed presentation at emergency centre had been lack of concern by family members regarding the urgency of the situation and lack of knowledge regarding possible complications. Complications were observed in 12.5% and commonest was chemical pneumonitis.CONCLUSIONS: •The victims of acute poisoning in this muli-centre study were predominantly preschoolers, and male children were at a higher risk. • They were poisonined mostly unintentionally and within their own housing premises. •Kerosene oil was the commonest poison with its additional risks of aspiration pneumonia following hazadrous first aid measures by care givers.