title: [Caseload of poisoning among children treated by the Rio Grande do Sul State Toxicology Information Center (CIT/RS), Brazil].
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: < 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.
authors: Centro de Informação Toxicológica do Rio Grande do Sul, Secretaria Estadual da Saúde, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. carlaram@terra.com.br
authors: Carla Luiza Job
authors: CL
authors: Ramos
authors: Maria Beatriz Mostardeiro
authors: MB
authors: Targa
authors: Airton Tetelbom
authors: AT
authors: Stein
mesh_terms: 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