Study of Acute Poisoning Cases in Children Admitted To Menoufia Poison Control Center (MPCC) During the Year (2016)" A Prospective Study"

Background: Poisoning of children is a major health problem in the developing as well as the developed world; it represents an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children and adolescents.
Objectives:  This study was designed to describe the pattern of childhood poisoning cases admitted to Menoufia Poison Control Center (MPCC) at Menoufia University Hospital over one year. Patients and Methods:This was a prospective study conducted on 760 children less than 18 year with acute poisoning and all required data about socio-demographic status, poison data and clinical assessment were collected and statistically analyzed.
 Results: The total number of cases during the period of study was (760) cases, males outnumbered females (55.5% versus 44.5% respectively). Those from 2 to 6 year were the highest age group which represented 62.1%. Pesticide poisoning was the most common exposure (34.4%) followed by household cleaning agents (30%). Most of poisoned cases were accidental (91.7%) while only 8.3% were suicidal. The most common route of poisoning was oral one (92.6%). Seasonal variation was noticed as regards rate of admitted cases with increased rate in summer and spring. Pesticides were the most common agents resulting in death (13cases of 15). According to poison severity score (PSS) 65.8% of cases were minor followed by moderate, asymptomatic and severe cases (21.7%, 9.7% and 2.8% respectively). About 9.6% needed ICU admissions, 95.9% of cases were cured and mortality rate was 2 %.
 Conclusion: Most children poisoning was accidental, mainly by oral route, more in summer and spring seasons, most commonly due to pesticides and household cleaning agents. Most of cases were completely cured.
Recommendations: All medications and toxic products should be kept out of reach of children, availability of child resistant containers, mass media should create awareness about this problem and finally, good parental supervision is always necessary.