Hospitalizations for pediatric intoxication in Washington State, 1987-1997

Citation
F. Gauvin et al., Hospitalizations for pediatric intoxication in Washington State, 1987-1997, ARCH PED AD, 155(10), 2001, pp. 1105-1110
Citations number
21
Categorie Soggetti
Pediatrics,"Medical Research General Topics
Journal title
ARCHIVES OF PEDIATRICS & ADOLESCENT MEDICINE
ISSN journal
10724710 → ACNP
Volume
155
Issue
10
Year of publication
2001
Pages
1105 - 1110
Database
ISI
SICI code
1072-4710(200110)155:10<1105:HFPIIW>2.0.ZU;2-D
Abstract
Background: Intoxication (or poisoning) that necessitates hospitalization r emains an important source of morbidity in children. Objective: To determine changes, during an 11-year period (1987-1997), in t he incidence of hospitalization due to intoxication among children in Washi ngton State and circumstances of ingestion, agents used, hospital length of stay, charges, and mortality. Methods: A computerized database of all hosp ital discharges (Comprehensive Hospital Abstract Reporting System [CHARS] d atabase) in Washington was used. Cases included all children younger than 1 9 years with a primary or secondary diagnosis for an intoxication or with a n external cause of injury code (E code) for an intoxication from 1987 to 1 997. Results: There were 7322 hospitalizations (45 per 100 000 children per year ); the annual rate significantly decreased during the study period. Most pa tients (75%) were teenagers. Sixty-five percent were female. Pharmaceutical agents were used in 80% of cases. Analgesics were the most commonly used ( 34%), followed by antidepressants (12%) and psychotropic drugs (8%). Nonpha rmaceutical agents were more prevalent in children younger than 12 years th an in teenagers. Self-inflicted intoxication was the most frequent cause id entified by E codes (47%). Median length of stay was 1 day, and median hosp ital charges were $2096. Mortality was low (0.2%) and did not change signif icantly over time. Conclusions: Acute intoxication continues to be an important cause of hospi talization in children. The type of agent involved did not change significa ntly over time. Teenage girls continue as the highest risk group for suicid e attempt from ingestions. Self-inflicted intoxications were associated wit h,higher costs, length of stay, and readmissions. Although preventive measu res and development of poison centers have contributed to decrease mortalit y from acute intoxication in children in the last 50 years, efforts need to be targeted toward suicide prevention, especially among teenage girls.