Profile of Acute Paediatric Poisoning Cases Admitted in a Tertiary Care Centre in North India.

The present study was carried out to determine the profile and outcome of acute paediatric poisoning presented in paediatrics emergency department of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, AMU, Aligarh. A retrospective study was carried out on 102 cases of acute poisoning among victims less than 18 years of age from period 1st July 2006 to 30th June 2007. Out of 102 cases, 39.2% cases were accidental, 56.9% cases were suicidal while 3.9% cases were homicidal. There were 59.8% males while 40.2% female. Among children less than 12 years of age, all were cases of accidental poisoning and among them 81.5% were in the age group of 1-6 years. Among age group 12-18 years, most common manner of poisoning was suicidal. The exact nature of consumed substances could not be assessed in 18.7% of our patients. 19.6% children died. We need to take preventive measures for intentional and accidental poisoning in chidren and adolescents. There is a need to spread awareness in our community about the emerging epidemic of childhood poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]