ISPUB.COM The Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology Volume 2 Number 2 1 of 7 Poisoning In Children: A Study Of 1120 Poisoned Patients Younger Than 12 Years At Loghman Hakeem Poison Control Center, Tehran, Iran, 2000-2001 H Joghataee, S Mirakbari, S Moosavi, F Farnaghi Citation H Joghataee, S Mirakbari, S Moosavi, F Farnaghi. Poisoning In Children: A Study Of 1120 Poisoned Patients Younger Than 12 Years At Loghman Hakeem Poison Control Center, Tehran, Iran, 2000-2001. The Internet Journal of Pediatrics and Neonatology. 2001 Volume 2 Number 2. Abstract BACKGROUND: Poisoning remains a threat to the health of young children despite the improved triage and management techniques. OBJECTIVE: To determine changes in the incidence and agents used.Also the cases were considered for hospital length of stay,mortality,clinical presentations and some epidemiologic variables. METHODS:All cases younger than 12 years with a primary or secondary diagnosis of poisoning referred to this center from April 25,2000 to April 25,2001 were entered into the study.Staff physicians were provided with a questionnaire and performed a standardized assessment of the patients. RESULTS: 1120 patients were enlisted in the study. 36.5% were admitted into the ward .Most patients (39/02%)were in the range 1-2 years.Pharmaceuticals were often used.The most common presentation was drowsiness.The patients mostly stayed for 1 day in the hospital.Mortality was 0.3%. CONCLUSION:The number of cases has decreased over time but accidental poisoning in children remains a significant problem.Pharmaceuticals were somewhat marked in this study.The type of agent involved changed over time.Although preventive measures have contributed to decrease in incidence of child poisoning,efforts need to be targeted toward family educations,design and regulatory changes along with improved child resistant packaging are required. INTRODUCTION During the past 30 years, childhood morbidity and mortality due to poisoning have decreased as a result of new prevention strategies, along with improved triage and management techniques. Poisoning nevertheless remains a threat to the health of young children.( 1 , 2 ) Poisoning that necessitates hospitalization remains an important source of morbidity in children.( 3 ) Because of the trend of population increase and the use of pharmaceutical, chemical, and hygienic agents, now we observe the poisoning as a common problem in children. According to data of Loghman Hakeem Hospital, the single center for poisoning in Tehran, accidental poisoning in children is very common. The type of agent involved has been changing over time in children. The number of child poisoning in Iran due to hygienics and cosmetics continue to increase over last 10 years.(1) In 1995, 3895 patients under 12 years of age with a poison exposure were referred to this center. Of these, 463 cases