George, S., Abdellah, N., Abdelrahman, S. (2025). Pattern of Acute Pediatric Poisoning at Assiut University Hospitals: Prospective Study. Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 23(2), 34-40. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.338323.1208
Safaa George; Nora Z. Abdellah; Seham Ahmed Abdelrahman. "Pattern of Acute Pediatric Poisoning at Assiut University Hospitals: Prospective Study". Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 23, 2, 2025, 34-40. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.338323.1208
George, S., Abdellah, N., Abdelrahman, S. (2025). 'Pattern of Acute Pediatric Poisoning at Assiut University Hospitals: Prospective Study', Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 23(2), pp. 34-40. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.338323.1208
George, S., Abdellah, N., Abdelrahman, S. Pattern of Acute Pediatric Poisoning at Assiut University Hospitals: Prospective Study. Zagazig Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, 2025; 23(2): 34-40. doi: 10.21608/zjfm.2025.338323.1208
Pattern of Acute Pediatric Poisoning at Assiut University Hospitals: Prospective Study
1forensic medicine and toxicology at assiut university
2Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
3Demonstrator of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Egypt
Abstract
Background: Child poisoning is a serious health issue that affects both developed and developing nations, and it is a key fBackground: Child poisoning is a serious health issue that affects both developed and developing nations, and it is a key factor in the morbidity and death of young people. Diagnosing, treating, and preventing future occurrences of this issue are the best ways to resolve it. Aims: This study aimed to analyze the trends and results of pediatric poisoning cases admitted to Assiut University hospitals over one year, from 1/2/2022 to 31/1/2023. Patients and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was carried out on 359 children under 18 years old who had acute poisoning. All necessary information was gathered and statistically analyzed, including the patient's demographic status, clinical assessment, poisoning data, investigations, treatment measures, admission location, and outcome. Results: Throughout the study period, there were 359 admitted cases. Males outnumbered females by 53.2% to 46.8%. The main age group (37.0%) was from 2 to less than 6 years. Medication poisoning came in first, with 29.2%. Pesticide agents came in second with a rate of 25.4%. Suicide attempts accounted for only 24.8% of poisoning cases; the majority (72.7 %) were unintentional. The oral route accounted for 77.7% of poisoning cases. A mortality rate of 2.2% was observed, with 97.8% of cases being completely cured and about 35.1% requiring Intensive Care Unit hospitalization. Conclusion: Most poisonings in children occur accidentally, primarily through oral ingestion and mostly due to medications and insecticides. Most cases had a complete recovery