Citation

Sarker AK, Ghosh S, Barik K. Indian J. Public Health 1990; 34(3): 159-162.

Affiliation

Dept. of Medicine, Burdwan Medical College & Hospitals.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1990, Indian Public Health Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

2103925

Abstract

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.

Language: en