Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis
Background/Objectives: Acute drug intoxications (ADIs) are a significant concern in pediatric healthcare, contributing to both accidental and intentional morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric ADI cases to identify trends and in...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| author | Cristina Elena Singer Renata-Maria Văruț Maria Singer Simona Cosoveanu Jaqueline Abdul Razzak Madalina Elena Popescu Simina Gaman Ileana Octavia Petrescu Cristina Popescu |
| author_facet | Cristina Elena Singer Renata-Maria Văruț Maria Singer Simona Cosoveanu Jaqueline Abdul Razzak Madalina Elena Popescu Simina Gaman Ileana Octavia Petrescu Cristina Popescu |
| author_sort | Cristina Elena Singer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background/Objectives: Acute drug intoxications (ADIs) are a significant concern in pediatric healthcare, contributing to both accidental and intentional morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric ADI cases to identify trends and inform preventive strategies. Methods: This retrospective study included 120 cases of pediatric ADI admitted to the Second Pediatric Clinic of Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital in 2022 and 2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed children aged 0–17 years with confirmed pharmaceutical intoxications. Cases involving mixed poisonings or non-pharmaceutical substances were excluded. Clinical severity was classified using the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS). Data on demographics, substances involved, clinical presentations, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: The majority of cases occurred in females (73.3%) and urban residents (77.5%). Accidental intoxications were prevalent in children aged 1–5 years (45%), while intentional ingestions were common in adolescents (47.5%). The most frequently implicated substances included antibiotics (46.7%), benzodiazepines (20.8%), and acetaminophen (15.8%). Severity was classified as mild (44.2%), moderate (26.6%), or severe (29.2%), while treatment primarily included supportive care, intravenous fluids (62.5%), and antidotes (35.8%). Severe cases required respiratory support in 29.2% of the instances. Hospitalization duration significantly decreased from 2022 (3.8 ± 1.9 days) to 2023 (2.3 ± 0.9 days) (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and no fatalities were recorded. Conclusions: Pediatric ADIs predominantly involve accidental ingestions in young children and intentional overdoses in adolescents. Targeted public health strategies, such as parental education, adolescent mental health support, and improved rural healthcare access, are essential to reduce incidence and severity. These findings underscore the need for focused prevention and optimized clinical management. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-46218987bc5445a6a0d9ba4d454c1580 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj-art-46218987bc5445a6a0d9ba4d454c15802025-01-24T13:27:06ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672024-12-011214410.3390/children12010044Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective AnalysisCristina Elena Singer0Renata-Maria Văruț1Maria Singer2Simona Cosoveanu3Jaqueline Abdul Razzak4Madalina Elena Popescu5Simina Gaman6Ileana Octavia Petrescu7Cristina Popescu8Department of Mother and Baby, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaResearch Methodology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDermatology Department, Central Military Hospital, 010825 Bucharest, RomaniaDepartment of Mother and Baby, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Mother and Baby, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Mother and Baby, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment I, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaDepartment of Mother and Baby, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaCounty Hospital Craiova, Department of Anatomy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Discipline of Anatomy, 200349 Craiova, RomaniaBackground/Objectives: Acute drug intoxications (ADIs) are a significant concern in pediatric healthcare, contributing to both accidental and intentional morbidity. This study aimed to analyze the demographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of pediatric ADI cases to identify trends and inform preventive strategies. Methods: This retrospective study included 120 cases of pediatric ADI admitted to the Second Pediatric Clinic of Craiova County Emergency Clinical Hospital in 2022 and 2023. The inclusion criteria encompassed children aged 0–17 years with confirmed pharmaceutical intoxications. Cases involving mixed poisonings or non-pharmaceutical substances were excluded. Clinical severity was classified using the Poisoning Severity Score (PSS). Data on demographics, substances involved, clinical presentations, interventions, and outcomes were analyzed. Results: The majority of cases occurred in females (73.3%) and urban residents (77.5%). Accidental intoxications were prevalent in children aged 1–5 years (45%), while intentional ingestions were common in adolescents (47.5%). The most frequently implicated substances included antibiotics (46.7%), benzodiazepines (20.8%), and acetaminophen (15.8%). Severity was classified as mild (44.2%), moderate (26.6%), or severe (29.2%), while treatment primarily included supportive care, intravenous fluids (62.5%), and antidotes (35.8%). Severe cases required respiratory support in 29.2% of the instances. Hospitalization duration significantly decreased from 2022 (3.8 ± 1.9 days) to 2023 (2.3 ± 0.9 days) (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and no fatalities were recorded. Conclusions: Pediatric ADIs predominantly involve accidental ingestions in young children and intentional overdoses in adolescents. Targeted public health strategies, such as parental education, adolescent mental health support, and improved rural healthcare access, are essential to reduce incidence and severity. These findings underscore the need for focused prevention and optimized clinical management.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/44pediatric acute drug intoxicationspoisoning severity scoreaccidental and intentional ingestionsepidemiology of intoxicationspublic health strategies |
| spellingShingle | Cristina Elena Singer Renata-Maria Văruț Maria Singer Simona Cosoveanu Jaqueline Abdul Razzak Madalina Elena Popescu Simina Gaman Ileana Octavia Petrescu Cristina Popescu Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis Children pediatric acute drug intoxications poisoning severity score accidental and intentional ingestions epidemiology of intoxications public health strategies |
| title | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_full | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_short | Epidemiological and Clinical Characteristics of Pediatric Acute Drug Intoxications: A Retrospective Analysis |
| title_sort | epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pediatric acute drug intoxications a retrospective analysis |
| topic | pediatric acute drug intoxications poisoning severity score accidental and intentional ingestions epidemiology of intoxications public health strategies |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/1/44 |
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