Trends and Acute Poisoning Profiles: 2023 Annual Report of Zagazig University Poisoning Treatment Unit

Abstract

Background: Globally, acute poisoning is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Aim of the work: This study aimed to provide comprehensive data about trends and profiles of acute poisoning cases attended at Zagazig University Poisoning Treatment Unit (ZUPTU) from January 2023 to December 2023. Patients and Methods: Retrospective observational research was conducted using information gathered from electronic healthcare records and medical files of ZUPTU. 2294 poisoned patients were included in this study. Results: According to age, the cases of age <18 years old (y) presented the majority of cases. The female group was more prominent than the male group. Suicidal cases, oral ingestion, and rural residence represented the majority of cases. 42.28% of cases were admitted to ZUPTU and 15.92% of studied cases were admitted to ICU. The majority of cases were mild and received conservative treatment and decontamination. Poisoning by therapeutics and pesticides represented the main groups of poisoning. Analgesics, psychotropic drugs, and sedative-hypnotics were the main causes of therapeutic poisoning, while organophosphorus, zinc phosphide and aluminum phosphide represented the main causes of pesticide poisoning. 56.1% of studied cases were improved and discharged, while 40.76% were discharged on demand. 72 cases were died. 69.44% of died cases were from aluminum phosphide poisoning. Conclusion and recommendation: Put guidelines and rules controlling the sale of medicines and pesticides. Awareness of the mothers on how to keep the home environment safe for their children. Public awareness about the magnitude of poisoning especially aluminum phosphide poisoning.