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KMID : 1138720130390010013
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Korean Public Health Research
2013 Volume.39 No. 1 p.13 ~ p.22
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A Comparative Study on Accidental Poisonings in Preschool Children in South Korea
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Lee Soo-Hoon
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Abstract
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Objectives: Little information has been published regarding the status of pediatric poisonings in Asia, particularly in northeast Asia including South Korea. We studied the epidemiology of accidental poisonings among children younger than 6 years in South Korea through emergency medical information center data. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records about poisonings of children younger than 6 years who consulted by the Seoul Emergency Medical Information Center in 2010. The demographic data and detailed information about the poisonings was investigated. The substances causing the poisonings were divided into pharmaceuticals and non-pharmaceuticals, and their characteristics and the difference between the two groups were investigated. Results: A total of 1352 cases were collected, of which 94.6% occurred in children younger than 3 years. There is a bimodal distribution of age with two peaks, highest in 1 year and increasing again between 61 and 72 months. Boys (51.8%) were involved more than girls. The incidence of pediatric poisoning was higher in spring. Personal care products and cold medications were the most common causative substances. Desiccants were distinctively more common than in other countries. Referral to hospitals was more frequent than reports of other poison control centers. The exposure to non-pharmaceuticals (58.9%) was more common than pharmaceuticals. There were several differences between non-pharmaceutical and pharmaceutical group. Conclusion: We demonstrated the characteristics of pediatric poisoning in South Korea using the data from emergency medical information center. Through those data, we may be able to implement preventive strategies and educational programs in South Korea.
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KEYWORD
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Pediatrics, Poisoning, Epidemiology, Republic of Korea
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