title: An Epidemiologic Study of Pediatric Poisoning; a Six-month Cross-sectional Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intentional and unintentional poisoning are among the most common reasons for referrals to emergency department (ED). Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate epidemiologic features and effective risk factors of intentional and unintentional poisoning in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in ED of Loghman Hakim Hospital, greatest referral poison center of Iran, Tehran during March to August 2014. Demographic data, medical history, history of psychiatric disease in child, the cause of poisoning, parents' educational level, household monthly income, location of residence, history of addiction or divorce in family, and the poisoning intentionality were gathered. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18 and appropriate statistical tests based on the purpose of study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  414 participants with the mean age of 4.2 ± 3.43 years were included (57.5% male). Children in the 0-4 year(s) age range had the most frequency with 281 (67.9%) cases. 29 (7%) cases were intentional (62% female, 76% in the 10-14 years old group). Methadone with 123 (29.7%) cases was the most frequent toxic agent in general and in unintentional cases. 10-14 years of age (p = 0.001), and the history of psychiatric disease in children (p <0.001), had a direct correlation with probability of intentional poisoning. While, history of addiction in the family showed an indirect correlation with this probability (p = 0.045).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the results of this study, most cases of poisoning in the children were unintentional methadone intoxication in boys in the 0-4 age range with a history of a psychiatric disease, and those who had a history of addiction in the family. In addition, the most powerful risk factor for the children's intentional poisoning was their history of psychiatric disease. The history of addiction in the child's family had indirect correlation with intentional intoxications.
authors: Department of Emergency, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad
authors: M
authors: Manouchehrifar
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Niloufar
authors: N
authors: Derakhshandeh
authors: Department of Emergency, Imam Hossein Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Majid
authors: M
authors: Shojaee
authors: Department of Emergency, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Anita
authors: A
authors: Sabzghabaei
authors: Department of Pediatrics, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Fariba
authors: F
authors: Farnaghi
keywords: Poisoning; child; hospitalized; mental disorders; methadone; suicide