During the last three decades, the study on pattern of accidental poisoning cases in pediatrics has become an important subject for the forensic pathologists and the toxicologists worldwide. A Retrospective analysis of cases of all childhood poisonings in District Hospital, Belgaum over 5 years in the 1 to 15 years age group were studied with respect to age, sex, type of poison and outcome. A total of 116 cases were studied. The most common ingested poisons were Organophosphorus compounds (38.16%). Most common age group involved was 1–3 yrs. The study showed male predominance. There was no significant season-wise variation observed. Manner of poisoning in 92% cases was accidental in nature. Amongst 116 cases, 40 cases were due to snake and insect bites. In this, 30 cases were due to snakes and 10 were due to insect and scorpion bite. Maximum number of cases observed was in the age group 4 and 12 years. The study showed male predominance than females. Maximum number of snake and insect bites occurred in rainy and summer season. All the cases were accidental in nature. We recommend that access prevention and massive health education campaign should be instituted to reduce the incidence of accidental poisoning in children.
Accidental ingestion, Pediatric poisoning, Organophosphorus compound, Snake bite
