title: Acute poisoning in children; a population study in isfahan, iran, 2008-2010.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Acute accidental poisoning in children is still an important public health problem. The epidemiological investigation specific for each country is necessary to determine the extent and characteristics of the problem. The aim of our study was to elucidate the current pattern of acute poisoning among children.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present retrospective study describes the epidemiology of acute accidental poisoning in children (less than 10 years old) admitted to the Emergency Department of two teaching hospitals during a period of two years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three hundred and forty four children under 10 years old were admitted to emergency department of two teaching hospitals due to acute accidental poisoning. Drugs were the most common agents causing the poisoning (58.1%), followed by Hydrocarbons (13.1%), and opioids (9.3%). Common signs were neurological (42.6%) with lethargy being the most common (39.1%). 50.6% of cases were discharged from hospital within 6-12 hours, 91.6% of them without any complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Accidental poisonings are still a significant cause of morbidity among children in developing countries. Regarding the high prevalence of pharmaceutical drug poisoning and because lethargic was the most frequent neurological sign, comprehensive toxicology screen tests should be included as part of the routine evaluation of children presenting to an ED with an apparent life-threatening event.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Toxicology and Forensic Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran ; Isfahan Clinical Toxicology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Farzad
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gheshlaghi
authors.forename: Mohammad-Reza
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Piri-Ardakani
authors.forename: Mansooreh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaraghi
authors.forename: Faranak
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shafiei
authors.forename: Mohaddaseh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Behjati
keywords: Children; Epidemiology; Poisoning; Toxicology