Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
ISSN: 2161-0665
+44 1478 350008
Narges Gholami, Fariba Farnaghi and Fathi Alwasabi
Narges Gholami, Fariba Farnaghi and Fathi Alwasabi
Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: Pediatr Ther
Background: Children are exposed to diff erent environmental hazards, including poisons, which can cause irreparable eff ects and even be fatal for them. Poisoning in children is among the common and dangerous emergencies but oft en is preventable and treatable. Th e purpose of this study is the evaluation of poisonings that lead to apnea in children. Objectives: Th e current study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of drugs and chemical poisoning leading to apnea. Also we detected type of drug that induced apnea among children. Method: Th is study is a cross-sectional study done among patients less than 12 years old with complaint of acute poisoning leading to apnea referred to Loghman Hakim Hospital Emergency Centre (a major center for poisoning treatment in Tehran, Iran) from April 2012 to April 2013. Data including demographic characteristics, history of the type and amount of substance used, the time between consumption and occurrence of apnea and para clinical fi ndings was collected then the data collected from patients� fi les were entered into the data forms and the fi ndings were analyzed using the SPSS version 20 statistical soft ware. Result: During the study period, 96 cases of drugs and chemical poisoning leading to apnea were observed of which 51 (53.1%) were male and 45 (46.9%) female. Th e age range was from 25 days to 12 years old and the highest percentage (23%) was for 1 to 2 years olds. 21 cases (21.9%) had more than one apnea episodes. Th e mean interval between drug consumption and occurrence of apnea was 2.8 hours with a minimum interval of half an hour and maximum of 38 hours and 8 cases (8.3%) had apnea aft er 10 hours of poisoning indicating a relatively long period of time from consumption to apnea occurrence. In 40% of the cases of poisoning happened inadvertently by the child, 59% was given to the child by others and in 1% it was taken with for suicide intention (11 year old girl by Methadone). Th e most common cause of drug toxicity was Methadone syrup 74%, then Opium 13%, the Baclofen (5.2%), Heroin (2.1%) and Diphenoxylate, Tramadol, Organophosphate, Scorpion bites and unknown (1%). 18 cases (18.8%) had a seizure too. Th e most common laboratory abnormalities were leukocytosis (31%) and hyperglycemia (24%). Th e mean duration of hospitalization was 3.1+0.97 days with a maximum stay of 9 days and minimum of 1 day. Th e mortality rate was three cases (3.1%) and all three cases were by Methadone poisoning. Th e relationship between time of consumption of substance and occurrence of apnea is statistically signifi cant (P=0.012713). Conclusion: Th e result of this research indicate a high prevalence of apnea and poisoning and the hazardous nature of Methadone in children, which indicate the availability of this dangerous substance in homes due to faulty storage and distribution of this material that even hours aft er poisoning can lead to apnea. Th erefore, any in child presenting with apnea, Methadone poisoning should be considered and appropriate treatment be given.
Narges Gholami is Pediatrician, Assistant professor of pediatrics, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.