[Caseload of poisoning among children treated by the Rio Grande do Sul State Toxicology Information Center (CIT/RS), Brazil].
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: < or=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.
Ramos
Carla Luiza Job
CL
Centro de Informação Toxicológica do Rio Grande do Sul, Secretaria Estadual da Saúde, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. carlaram@terra.com.br
Targa
Maria Beatriz Mostardeiro
MB
Stein
Airton Tetelbom
AT
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors