Acute poisoning of children in northern Jordan

Objective: To evaluate the problem of accidental poisoning among children in Northern Jordan. Methods: A prospective study was designed to study all children admitted with acute poisoning to the two main pediatric hospitals in North Jordan over an 18 month period. The data collected include: age, sex, seasonal variation, material ingested, symptomatic or not on admission, time and place of ingestion, history of similar problem among the patient or his siblings, whether vomiting was induced by the parents before seeking medical help or not and the outcome regarding mortality and morbidity. Results: One hundred and eighty five children aged 10 months to 13 years (mean 2.62) with acute poisoning were studied. Male to female ratio was 1.5:1. There were two seasonal peaks, one in winter and the second in the summer months. Kerosene and drugs were the most common ingested material constitute 34% and 33%, while household corrosive agents was seen in 20%. Forty six percent were asymptomatic on hospital admission. Seventy four percent arrived at hospital within 3 hours of poisoning. Two peaks were seen during the daytime, the first at 10 am and the second at 8 pm. Previous history of poisoning was reported in 3 children and in 4 siblings. Vomiting was induced by the parents appropriately in 25 (13.5%) while in 17 (9.2%) was wrongly carried out as it was contraindicated. None of our children died or had permanent sequelae. Conclusion: Kerosene, drugs and household corrosive agents were the main source of poisoning in Northern Jordan. A poisoning national registry and 24 hour poisoning center is highly recommended to further plan prevention, first aid and health education.