Assessment of acute poisoning in children using poisoning severity scores: A cross-sectional study at Damietta General Hospital Egypt

Abstract

Acute poisoning is a prevalent health issue, particularly among children, due to their natural curiosity and tendency to explore. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the characteristics, causes, clinical presentation, and outcomes of acute intoxication in children at Damietta General Hospital, Egypt. We included 106 pediatric patients (aged under 18 years) with a clear history or clinical signs of acute poisoning. Data collection encompassed sociodemographic information, type of poison, mode of poisoning, and clinical outcomes. Poison Severity Score (PSS) was employed to assess the severity. The most affected age group was preschool children (3–6 years), accounting for 41.5 % of cases, with males representing 52.8 %. Accidental poisoning constituted 83 % of cases, with household cleaning products (34 %) and petroleum products (18.9 %) being the most common toxic agents. Clinical outcomes revealed that 33 % of patients experienced morbidity, with electrolyte imbalances being the most prevalent complication. The overall cure rate was 94.3 %, while the mortality rate was 5.7 %. This study highlights the significance of parental education and preventive measures, especially in rural areas, to reduce the risk of pediatric poisoning. The PSS proved useful in guiding clinical care, supporting its further use in pediatric toxicology settings.