These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: A study of accidental poisoning (in children) in a rural medical college hospital of West Bengal.
    Author: Sarker AK, Ghosh S, Barik K.
    Journal: Indian J Public Health; 1990; 34(3):159-62. PubMed ID: 2103925.
    Abstract:
    134 cases of accidental poisoning in children have been reported, children belonging to the age group of 1-3 years are the main victims. Kerosene has been noted as the single most important cause of poisoning. Mortality was fortunately low amounting to 5.2% of all cases. The findings of a study on accidental poisoning in children admitted in the pediatric ward of Burdwan Medical College Hospital, a rural hospital in West Bengal, India, are reported. From January to December 1987, 134 cases of poisoning in children up to 7 years of age were examined. Poisons were categorized into the following groups: 1) organic substances and caustic substances, 2) kerosene, 3) heavy metals 4) plant produces, 5) drugs, 6) insecticides and pesticides and 7) unknown. Lacking facilities in which to chemically identify poisons, the history of the case was thoroughly examined and close clinical observations were conducted. Kerosene, the most common poison was found in 57 (42.5%) of the 134 children. Insecticides and pesticides were the second most common poison, affecting 28 (20.9%) of the children. The incidence of the remaining poisons were: plant products, 9.7%; organic solvents and caustic substances, 9.0% unknown, 6.7% drugs, 6.0%; and heavy metals, 5.2%. Most of the cases occurred among children up to 3 years of age. 74% of the cases were male. Mortality was low -- 5.2% of the cases. The most common poison, kerosene, is largely used as a fuel and light source. 60% of the kerosene poisoning cases occurred among children aged 1-3, an age at which the child is curious and liked to put things into his or her mouth. The insecticides and pesticides category, the 2nd most common poison, includes organophosphorus compounds, rat killers, and organochlorine compounds.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]