Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on acute pediatric antipsychotic poisoning outcome in Tanta University Poison Control Centre

Background: Acute pediatric antipsychotic poisoning has obviously increased during COVID-19 lockdown. Minimal research concerning this topic were conducted in Egypt. Objectives: to identify the outcome predictors of acute pediatric antipsychotics poisoning during COVID 19 lockdown. Methods: The study was carried on children with acute antipsychotics poisoning admitted to Tanta University Poison Control center from (2019-2020). Recorded data were obtained from patients‟ files including sociodemographic characteristics, clinical examination, results of laboratory investigations, and ECG in addition to severity assessment by poison severity score. Results: A noticeable increase in the overall number of antipsychotic poisoned children was observed in 2020 than 2019. Additionally, the ingested doses, suicidal rates and the mean delay time were increased in 2020. Lower GCS ranging from 3-8 and 9-12 were more observed in 2020 compared to 2019. Atypical agents with minimal extrapyramidal manifestations were more commonly ingested. Hypotension and ECG changes particularly sinus tachycardia and prolonged QTc intervals were common in the studied sample and observed frequently in 2020 than 2019 cases. ICU admission rate together with hemodynamic instability increased in 2020 than that in 2019 however the length of hospital stay was nearly equal. Logistic regression analysis revealed that lower GCS and higher PSS were significantly accompanied by increased the likelihood of ICU admission. Conclusion: Severity of antipsychotic poisoning was higher during COVID-19 lockdown. Predictors of worse outcomes regarding ICU admission rates, neurological and cardiovascular toxicities were concluded.