@article{10.11648/j.ajcem.20140204.15,
  author = {Zeinab Abd Elmohdy Abd-Elhaleem and Badar AbdulMohsen Al Muqhem},
  title = {Pattern of Acute Poisoning in Al Majmaah Region, Saudi Arabia},
  journal = {American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine},
  volume = {2},
  number = {4},
  pages = {79-85},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajcem.20140204.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20140204.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajcem.20140204.15},
  abstract = {Background: Acute poisoning is a common situation in emergency departments all over the world. It may cause severe complications and death. Treatment of these cases requires great medical care and significant costs. There are many differences with respect to the pattern and cause of acute poisoning between geographical regions, even within the same country. Objective: This study was carried out to assess the pattern of acute poisoning with drugs, chemicals and natural toxins in both adults and children in Al Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study was conducted at King Khaled Hospital in Al Majmaah region. The medical records of cases who were admitted due to acute poisoning from January 2009 to December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: This study included 591 acute poisoned cases presented to ED. There were 79.4% more than 12 years old and 20.6% under 12 years old. .Number of males with toxic exposure was 435 while that of females was 156. Animal envenomation contributed to most of these cases. Unfortunately, other data of these cases could not be followed as 422 cases were observed and discharged from ED. Of them 188 were observed, received no treatment and discharged from ED. The other 234 cases were treated and discharged from ED. The medical record of 169 cases who were admitted to pediatric and internal medicine department could be retrieved and studied completely. There were 5.6% infants, 74.4% between 1–6 years old, 20% between 6-12 years old, 15.2% between 12-18 years old, 83.5 between 18-60 years old and 1.3% more than 60 years old. Pharmaceutical drugs and household products were the main causes of poisoning in cases under 12 years old ( 84.4%) while, animal envenomation; mainly scorpion stings contributed to most cases over 12 years old (62%). Conclusion: Accidental poisoning is still a significant cause of morbidity. Regarding the high prevalence of pharmaceutical drug and household products poisoning in children, implementation of legislations to ban over the counter selling of medications and to sell potentially dangerous chemicals in childproof containers is recommended. Improving proper and complete medical record-keeping is also suggested for a better information access.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Pattern of Acute Poisoning in Al Majmaah Region, Saudi Arabia
AU  - Zeinab Abd Elmohdy Abd-Elhaleem
AU  - Badar AbdulMohsen Al Muqhem
Y1  - 2014/08/10
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20140204.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajcem.20140204.15
T2  - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
JF  - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
JO  - American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine
SP  - 79
EP  - 85
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8133
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajcem.20140204.15
AB  - Background: Acute poisoning is a common situation in emergency departments all over the world. It may cause severe complications and death. Treatment of these cases requires great medical care and significant costs. There are many differences with respect to the pattern and cause of acute poisoning between geographical regions, even within the same country. Objective: This study was carried out to assess the pattern of acute poisoning with drugs, chemicals and natural toxins in both adults and children in Al Majmaah region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study was conducted at King Khaled Hospital in Al Majmaah region. The medical records of cases who were admitted due to acute poisoning from January 2009 to December 2012 were reviewed retrospectively. Results: This study included 591 acute poisoned cases presented to ED. There were 79.4% more than 12 years old and 20.6% under 12 years old. .Number of males with toxic exposure was 435 while that of females was 156. Animal envenomation contributed to most of these cases. Unfortunately, other data of these cases could not be followed as 422 cases were observed and discharged from ED. Of them 188 were observed, received no treatment and discharged from ED. The other 234 cases were treated and discharged from ED. The medical record of 169 cases who were admitted to pediatric and internal medicine department could be retrieved and studied completely. There were 5.6% infants, 74.4% between 1–6 years old, 20% between 6-12 years old, 15.2% between 12-18 years old, 83.5 between 18-60 years old and 1.3% more than 60 years old. Pharmaceutical drugs and household products were the main causes of poisoning in cases under 12 years old ( 84.4%) while, animal envenomation; mainly scorpion stings contributed to most cases over 12 years old (62%). Conclusion: Accidental poisoning is still a significant cause of morbidity. Regarding the high prevalence of pharmaceutical drug and household products poisoning in children, implementation of legislations to ban over the counter selling of medications and to sell potentially dangerous chemicals in childproof containers is recommended. Improving proper and complete medical record-keeping is also suggested for a better information access.
VL  - 2
IS  - 4
ER  - 

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