Childhood poisoning in Queensland: an analysis of presentation and admission rates.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the presentation rates for paediatric poisoning by ingestion and the determinants of hospital admission.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey using an injury surveillance database from emergency departments in South Brisbane, Mackay and Mt Isa, Queensland, from January 1998 to December 1999. There were 1516 children aged 0-14 years who presented following ingestional poisoning.


RESULTS
The presentation rates for poisoning were 690, 40 and 67 per 100000 population aged 0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 years, respectively. The admission rates to hospital for poisoning were 144, 14 and 22 per 100000 population aged 0-4, 5-9 and 10-14 years, respectively. Although presentation rates for poisoning were higher in the rural centres the admission rates were disproportionately high for the 0-4 years age group. The agents most frequently ingested were paracetamol, Dimetapp, rodenticides and essential oils.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a need to design and implement interventions aimed at reducing poison exposures and unnecessary hospital admissions in the 0-4 years age group.
Reith
D M
DM
Mater Chidren's Hospital, South Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. D.Reith@medicine.uq.edu.au
Pitt
W R
WR
Hockey
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution