Childhood Poisoning at a Tertiary Hospital in South West Nigeria

Authors

  • Oladele Simeon Olatunya Department of Paediatrics Ekiti State University /Teaching Hospital Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State
  • Ayodeji Olusola Isinkaye Federal Medical Centre Ido Ekiti Community Medicine Dept
  • Ezra Olatunde Ogundare Dept of Paediatrics Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado Ekiti
  • Isaac Oludare Oluwayemi Department of Paediatrics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital
  • Foluso John Akinola Department of Paediatriics, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v35i2.12548

Keywords:

Childhood poisoning, Child deaths, Southwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Poisoning is a preventable cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. Information on childhood poisoning in the developing world is scanty. This study describes the profile of childhood poisoning in a third world hospital.

Materials and Methods: Children admitted with poisoning over a 48-months period at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital Ado-Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria, were reviewed.

Results: It was found that 81 of 5256 admissions representing 1.54% of the total admissions were due to poisoning. Kerosene, Drugs, Alcohol based herbal concoction, pesticides, corrosive agents and carbon monoxide were involved in 37.0%, 22.2%, 19.8%, 8.6%, 6.2% and 6.2% respectively. Accidental and non-accidental intentions were involved in 85.2% and 14.8% cases respectively. Administration of palm oil (oil from Elais guineensis), vomiting induction and herbal concoction were the leading home interventions in 69.1%, 38.3% and 23.5% respectively. One patient required intensive care. There were seven deaths and overall mortality rate was 8.6%.

Conclusion: Poisoning remains a cause of childhood morbidity and mortality in Nigeria. Establishment of poisoning information and control centre is recommended among other strategies to combat its scourge.

J Nepal Paediatr Soc 2015;35(2):103-110

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
1671
PDF
1111

Author Biography

Ayodeji Olusola Isinkaye, Federal Medical Centre Ido Ekiti Community Medicine Dept

Community medicine

Downloads

Published

2016-01-20

How to Cite

Olatunya, O. S., Isinkaye, A. O., Ogundare, E. O., Oluwayemi, I. O., & Akinola, F. J. (2016). Childhood Poisoning at a Tertiary Hospital in South West Nigeria. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 35(2), 103–110. https://doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v35i2.12548

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 2 (2015)

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.

Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).