Toxicological Profile of Acutely Poisoned Cases Admitted to Poison Control Center, Ain-Shams University Hospitals during Year 2013

Background: Acute poisoning is a medical emergency that mandate brief analysis of the nature, severity and outcome of acute poisoning cases in order to take up appropriate planning, prevention and management techniques. The Poison Control Center Ain Shams University, Hospitals (PCCASUH) is the first established in the Middle East managed and treated more than 20474 patients during year (2013).
The aim of the study is to estimate the pattern of poisoning of cases admitted to the Poison Control Centre Ain Shams University Hospitals (PCCASUH) during year (2013). In-addition, to figure out the commonest poisoning causes, ways of management and outcomes during this year.
Patients and Methods: Clinical and Management data were obtained from medical records of cases admitted at PCCASUH during year (2013) and descriptive statistical analysis of this data was accomplished.
Results: Overall, (20474) intoxicated cases were recorded and (60.9%) were 15 to 40 year old. Female cases were 53.9% and that was more than male cases which were (46.1%). Children up to 15 year old represented (31.5%) of cases. Attempts of suicide were more common (47.1%) among cases presented while accidental exposures constituted (45.4 %) of cases. Food poisoning, organophosphates, household products and drugs of abuse were the more frequent case presentations. Cases were classified as mild cases (82.7%), moderate cases (12.1%) and severe cases (5.2%) according to Person et., al. (1998). Seventy four fatalities were recorded during (2013) at PCCASUH. Management of these cases was described with (3%) needed emergency measures.
Conclusions and Recommendations: This study revealed mortalities and morbidities presented to PCCASUH during (2013) were more than that recorded during year (2011) and (2012) as well as most of cases were suicidal attempts. This might be attributed to the security, economic and political problems affecting Egyptian community and population personality in negative way. Strict laws and regulations are needed to control the medication as well as households marketing and drugs of abuse availability.