All issues > Volume 12(3); 1969

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1969;12(3):143-148. Published online March 31, 1969.

Statistical Studies on Acute Poisonings of Infants and Children

Yung Myung Kim¹, Bo Kun Lee¹, Dong Sup Han¹

¹Department of Pediatrics，Kyung-Pook National Universityy Medicine of School Taegu, Korea

Abstract

One hundred and one cases of acute poisoning who had been admitted in the Pediatric Department of Kyung-Pook University Hospital from July 1963 to June 1968 were statistically analyzed and the
results
are as follows： 1. The incidence was corresponding to 0.43% of all pediatric out-patients during same period, and it was estimated average 20 cases annually. 2. The seasonal incidence showed some differences among causative substances, but poisoning seemed to be more prevalent between June and July. 3. The sex incidence was slightly higher in boys than in girls and the ratio was about 6:4. 4. Twenty-nine kinds of poisonous substances were observed to be causative. Of these, parathion was the most common (18 cases) and the next common agents were barbiturate (14 cases), D.D.S. (12 cases), rodenticide (11 cases), CO-gas (10 cases) and food poisoning (9 cases). 5. Parathion poisoning occured. chiefly after spraying it in living rooms on the purpose of killing mosquitoes, flies, lice, bugs and fleas. One third of such cases were observed under the one year of age. Barbiturate poisoning was seen mostly under the age of four years and over the age of ten years. The former was due to carelessness on the part of the parents for keeping the drug, and the latter for the purpose of suicide. D.D.S. poisoning was mainly due to the abuse of the drug for the treatment of non-specific skin diseases. 6. The poisonings of accidental causes were far more frequent than therapeutic and suicidal purposes. The incidences were 76.2%, 12.9%, and 10. 9% respectively. 7. The mortality rate was 12.9% and parathion was the most common cause of death.

Keywords :