Jakub Gécz
Background: Children poisonings are frequent and their number rises annually. The aim of the work was to evaluate the
incidence of certain types of poisonings in different age groups and to review the importance of observation unit in the
care of a child with acute poisoning.
Patients and methods: By retrospective analysis of medical records we created a group of patients in the age of 0 to
18 years old (+365 days) who were in contact with poison and were treated at the Paediatric emergency department,
University children´s hospital Bratislava since November 2010 until November 2015. We recorded sex, age, the way
of poisoning, intention and patient´s journey, if the patient was admitted to hospital, sent home or to the observation
unit.
Results: In the period of 5 years there were 1100 patients examined after poisoning. The number of boys and girls was
approximately equal. Most of the patients (402) drank alcohol. Other poisonings were caused by prescription drugs
(288), cleaning and washing chemicals (181), psychoactive substances (168), parts of plants (80), inhaled gasses (59),
corrosives (53) and other, less frequent poisons. Observation at the Paediatric emergency department was necessary
in 59.5% of patients. Approximately every third patient needed hospitalization.
Conclusion: The work gave us picture about the incidence of children poisonings. It showed differences between age
groups. Certainly, observation unit is of high importance in the care of child with acute poisoning. In overall, the incidence
of children poisonings is rising, therefore it is necessary to talk about them and act preventive.