Epidemiological Pattern of Poisoning in Children under the Age of ۱۵ Admitted to the Referral Teaching Hospitals of Yazd and Taft Cities (۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۹)

Introduction: Understanding the epidemiological pattern and causes of poisoning is the first step to prevent and reduce complications and mortality due to poisoning in children. Given that no study has been conducted on this subject in Yazd, this study aimed to determine the epidemiology pattern of poisoning in children admitted to the referral teaching hospitals in Yazd and Taft cities during ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۹. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on ۲۳۸ children under the age of ۱۵ who have been admitted to Shahid Sadoughi hospital in Yazd and Shahid Beheshti hospital in Taft city during ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۹. The data were analyzed by SPSS version ۲۰.۰ using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and Chi-square. In all the statistical analyses, a P-value of less than ۰.۰۵ was considered significant. Results: The results showed that the frequency of poisonings was higher in girls (۵۸%), in summer (۳۱.۱%), and in urban areas (۸۲.۸%). Most cases of poisoning aged less than ۱۵ years (۷۵.۱%). The main cause of poisoning in children was drug poisoning (۶۰.۵%), followed by cleansing products (۱۰.۱%). The most common clinical manifestations included neurological signs (۳۳.۶%). During ۲۰۱۴-۲۰۱۹, the frequency of drugs and pesticide poisonings decreased; while poisoning due to drug-opioids and cleansing products increased (P = ۰.۰۴). Also, ۳ deaths occurred due to poisoning during this period. Conclusion: The higher prevalence of drug and cleansing products poisoning in children under the age of ۱۵ indicates involuntary poisoning in this group. Therefore, proper storage of these substances and more parental care can reduce poisonings in children.

Keywords:

Poisoning , Epidemiology , Child , Yazd City.