Evaluation of Acute Intoxication in Children Seen in Emergency Services: Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION: Poisoning in children is an important public health problem. It is a major cause of morbidity and mortality that can be prevented worldwide, especially in developing countries. In this study, the scientific literature has been systematically examined with the aim of evaluating poisoning in childhood. MATERIALS and METHODS: This is a qualitative study with systematic review design based on document analysis of the articles. This systematic review consists of studies done between 2000 and 2017. The population of this study consisted of 3191 articles searched by using databases including Medline Complete, Academic Search Complete, Science Direct, CINAHL Complete, Academic One File, and Google Academic with the key words "acute poisonings", "pediatric emergency department", and "childhood". Thus 24 articles based on selection criteria consisted the sample of the study. RESULTS: Twenty-four retrospective studies about children with acute poisoning who presented to the pediatric emergency department were reviewed. Overall, the children's age range was 0-18 years. The vast majority of poisoning occurred by accident. The poisonous substances were taken mostly by ingestion. The responsible agents were drugs, cleaning products, and chemicals. Extensive and invasive techniques were used in almost all of the studies for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although poisoning in childhood is a major problem, most of them are preventable and manageable. Therefore, parents, government officials, drug companies, health professionals, and media should show the necessary effort to reduce poisoning in childhood. In particular, health workers who work in primary health care as they come together frequently with parents and children in early childhood should provide training and counseling on poisoning.