One year study of acute poisoning cases (excluding animal bites) at Civil hospital, Ahmedabad

To study the pattern of acute poisoning cases brought to the emergency department of Civil hospital, Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India.

The present study is a prospective study of poisoning cases(excluding animal bites) brought to the Emergency Department Civil Hospital Ahmadabad, Gujarat, India from 1^st October 2006 to 30^th September 2007. Socio-demographic details, Type of Poison, Route of Exposure, Period of hospitalization and outcome were recorded in a pre designed questioner.

Total 366 cases of acute poisoning were recorded over a period of one year. These did not include snake bites. Of these 70.8% were males and 29.2% female. The majority (45.08%) cases were from age group of 21–30 years. 71.6% cases were from rural area and 28.4% cases from urban area. The most common type of poison was pesticide in 33.9% cases, followed by household chemicals 26.8% cases, In 74.6% cases cause of poisoning was intentional. 81.4% cases recovered fully or partially, whereas case fatality rate was 18.6%. Fatality in pesticide poisoning was 25.8%. In 23.7% of cases the agent could not be identified.

Our data supports the other study from India regarding Age and Sex distribution. However, compared to data reported from poison information centre, NIOH, Ahmedabad, Household chemicals were encountered as the 2^nd most common cause of poisoning. Of these Acid Ingestion accounted for 55.10% cases of household chemical cases. The prevention and treatment of poisoning due to pesticide and household poisoning should merit high priority in the health care of Gujarat population. There is also need for identifying unknown substance.