Risk Factors and Outcomes of Pediatric Poisoning: A Cross-Sectional Study From a Tertiary Care Hospital in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Pediatric poisoning is a significant concern in lower-middle-income countries, such as Pakistan, where it is a common and potentially life-threatening issue. This problem often goes unnoticed in households with young children and results in a substantial number of emergency department visits. A recent cross-sectional study aimed to identify the risk factors and common agents of acute poisoning in children, as well as determine their outcomes. The study reviewed the records of 154 children under the age of 14 who presented to the pediatric emergency department with a history of poisoning within the preceding 48 hours. The study period spanned from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, and data recorded included age, gender, poisoning agent, route, mode, and place of poisoning, among other factors. The study found that the majority of patients (74.7%) were under the age of three years, and most (88.3%) were hospitalized. All poisoning cases involved accidental ingestion, with the majority occurring at home (96.1%). The most common poisoning agents were organophosphorus compounds (27.9%), followed by medications (26.6%) and petroleum products (17.5%). The study also found that most patients (80.9%) remained hospitalized for up to three days, with a mean duration of stay of 2.8 ± 1.8 days. However, the majority of hospitalized patients survived (87.5%). While length of stay, ICU admission, and need for organ support were significantly associated with mortality in univariate analysis, none were significant predictors of mortality in multivariate analysis. The study highlights the severity of pediatric poisoning, particularly among children under the age of three years, and emphasizes the need for parental education, childproofing measures at home, and improved healthcare infrastructure to prevent poisoning incidents and enhance patient outcomes. The high rates of hospitalization and mortality associated with pediatric poisoning underscore the importance of addressing this issue to reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and improve the health and well-being of children in lower-middle-income countries. Link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40462814/