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BMC Pediatrics

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Open Access 01-12-2024 | Intoxication | Research

Poisoning in children and adolescents in Kermanshah city, Iran

Authors: Mitra Hemmati, Mohamad Reza Tohidi, Ali Mohammadi, Firozeh Jahanpour, Bahareh Andayeshgar, Sahar Fallah

Published in: BMC Pediatrics | Issue 1/2024

Abstract

Background

Poisoning among children and adolescents is a public health problem worldwide. To take preventive measures, the pattern of this problem should be determined. This study aimed to describe the demographic characteristics of poisoning in children and to investigate the relationship between the types of poisoning and demographic factors in children in Kermanshah province.

Methods

This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 250 children and adolescents under 18 years of age who were referred to Mohammad Kermanshahi Pediatric Hospital in Kermanshah province due to poisoning during 2019–2022. The demographic and epidemiological data of patients were extracted from their medical files and analyzed.

Results

Out of 250 cases of poisoning, 173 (69.2%) cases were unintentional, 96 (55.5%) of whom were boys. Further, 77 (30.8%) cases of poisoning were intentional, of whom 49 (63.6%) were girls. There was a significant difference between gender and intentional and unintentional poisonings (p-value = 0.005). The median age of unintentional poisoning was 3 (IQR = 2.5) and that of intentional poisoning was 14 (IQR = 2). Most cases of poisoning were in cities, 145 (83.8%) of them were unintentional and 66 (85.7%) were intentional. Most cases of intentional and unintentional poisonings occurred in spring 2017 (35.1%) and autumn 2016 (34.6%), respectively. The most common causes of poisoning were narcotics (n = 36, 34.3%) and drugs (n = 35, 33.3%) in the age group 0–3 years and drugs (n = 46, 66.9) in the age group 11–18 years.

Conclusions

The most common causes of poisoning were narcotics and drugs in children and drugs in adolescents. To prevent poisoning in children, parents are required to increase their knowledge of the safe storage of narcotics and drugs, such as not storing methadone in a water bottle. Targeted evaluation and preventive measures are also needed in adolescent poisoning.

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Title: Poisoning in children and adolescents in Kermanshah city, Iran
Authors: Mitra Hemmati
Mohamad Reza Tohidi
Ali Mohammadi
Firozeh Jahanpour
Bahareh Andayeshgar
Sahar Fallah
Publication date: 01-12-2024
Publisher: BioMed Central
Keywords: Intoxication
Anesthetics
Anesthetics
Published in: BMC Pediatrics / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2431
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-024-04631-3

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Poisoning in children and adolescents in Kermanshah city, Iran

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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