Past studies
of pediatric poisoning in Kuwait have suggested differences at
hospital level which could impact on the implementation of public
health interventions. The objective was to compare pediatric poisoning
admissions at general hospitals in Kuwait. Methods: Retrospective
survey of all pediatric poisoning cases at the six general hospitals
from January 2004 to December 2005. Case data were documented
using ICD-10 criteria and the poisoning severity score. Aggregated
data was also obtained from five private hospitals.
Results: 978 children were admitted in public hospitals over 2004
and 2005 (no fatalities) being 1.8% and 1.6% of all pediatric
admissions (private hospitals admitted 293 cases). The majority
of the poisoning cases came from Jahra hospital (>35%), the
median age was 2.3 yrs, 93% of cases were under 6 yrs old and
71% were Kuwaiti. Two thirds of cases involved pharmaceuticals
although this varied between hospitals with a tendency for more
severe cases with chemical poisoning (p=0.011). Kerosene was an
important problem at Jahra hospital (34.7% of chemical exposures).
Non-opioid analgesics constituted 22.3% of medication exposures
with hormones and drugs affecting the autonomic nervous system
also common with some difference in pattern between institutions.
Conclusion: Case demographics do not vary significantly between
the hospitals but there are differences in the nature of toxic
agents to which children are exposed suggesting that preventive
and educational programs could be targeted to specific areas for
maximal effect particularly with regard to household chemical
and kerosene exposures.
