title: Acute poisoning among children admitted to a regional university hospital in Northern Greece.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of our study was to elucidate the current pattern of acute poisoning among children admitted to a regional University Hospital in the prefecture of Evros in Northern Greece. We also compared the obtained findings with those of two previous studies performed in the same region.
  
  
  METHODS
  Demographic and clinical data, management, and outcome of children with acute poisoning were recorded in our region, during the past 5-years (2005-2009, period C) and compared to similar studies carried out in the periods 1985-1989 (period A) and 1995-1999 (period B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Comparison between the three periods showed that in period Athe lower incidence of children's acute poisoning (CAP) was observed. Also this revealed a 20%-reduction in the frequency of poisoning over the past 5-years (period C) compared to period B (p = 0.219), a significant increase in tobacco intoxication over the years (in the order A-C; p < 0.001 for comparisons of periods A and B, and periods B and C), while poisoning from insecticides-pesticides decreased (p < 0.001). The incidence of poisoning via salicylates significantly reduced from 9.7% in period A to 6.2% in period B, and further to 4.7% in period C (p = 0.016), whereas during the same periods poisoning via paracetamol increased from 2.3% to 5.1% and then to 10.4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Atrend toward a higher incidence of suicide attempt via poisoning was found during the three periods (from 3.0% in period A to 4.7% and 6.6%, in periods B and C, respectively; p = 0.049).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The frequency of acute poisoning among children has decreased over the past 5 years. The incidences of poisoning via paracetamol and tobacco, and attempted suicide have increased in recent years. Targeted and continuous educational preventive programs are mandatory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Alexandroupolis University Hospital, Democritus University of Thrace School of Medicine, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Aggelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tsalkidis
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vaos
authors.forename: Stefanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gardikis
authors.forename: Katerina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kambouri
authors.forename: Gregorios
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tripsianis
authors.forename: Elpis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mantadakis
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Paraskakis
authors.forename: Athanassios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chatzimicael
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors