Citation

Ramos CL, Targa MB, Stein AT. Cad. Saude Publica 2005; 21(4): 1134-1141.

Vernacular Title

Perfil das intoxicacoes na infancia atendidas pelo Centro de Informacao

Affiliation

Centro de Informação Toxicológica do Rio Grande do Sul, Secretaria Estadual da Saúde, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Escola Nacional De Saude Publica)

DOI

/S0102-311X2005000400015

PMID

16021250

Abstract

This was an analytical, descriptive, cross-sectional study to establish the profile of poisonings among children 0 to 4 years of age reported to the Rio Grande do Sul State Toxicology Information Center (CIT/RS) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, 2003. A total of 1,311 cases were selected and data were extracted on children who had suffered individual accidental poisoning inside the home. From a systematic random sample of 286 patients, 21 interviews were held with the children's parents or guardians, using a structured instrument. The typical profile of poisoning featured: < 1 year age bracket; male gender; oral exposure; poisonous agent located on living room or bedroom floor; furniture height < 30cm; time of poisoning from 18:01 to 22:00; time between poisoning and search for emergency medical care less than 30 minutes; analgesics as poisonous agent; medical assessment of purported poisoning as non-toxic, evolving to cure. The data indicate relevant characteristics as to the time of poisoning and place where poisonous agents were located. Definition of a profile helps promote and expand childhood poisoning prevention campaigns by public health agencies.