Kondolot M, Akyıldız B, Görözen F, Kurtoğlu S, Patıroğlu T. (Department of Pediatrics, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey). Evaluation of the poisoning cases who applied to the Pediatrics Emergency Unit. Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Dergisi 2009; 52: 68-74. Poisoning cases (n: 491) aged between 8 months-17 years (73±56 months) who applied to the Pediatrics Emergency Unit of Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine between June 2006-May 2007 were evaluated retrospectively. The ratio of poisoning cases to all pediatric emergency admissions was 6.2%. Fifty-three percent of cases were males and the ratio of male/female was 1.1:1. Of the poisoning agents, 66.9% (n: 328) were nonpharmacologic and 30.5% (n: 150) were pharmacologic agents. The highest proportion of poisoning was in the 25 months-5 years of age group (35%) and the most common poisoning agents were caustic-corrosive substances. When evaluated according to the season, 30.3% of the patients presented in the autumn, 29.5% in the spring, 29.5% in the summer, and 10.6% in the winter. It was determined that 88.6% of the poisoning cases occurred at home and 11.4% occurred outside the home. Of the poisoning cases, 7.9% were suicidal and 92.1% were accidental. Caustic-corrosive substances and mushroom were the most frequent poisoning agents in our region. It is important to determine the poisoning characteristics of each region to undertake preventive measures and educate the public and health staff. Key words: poisoning, childhood, etiology.

Keywords: zehirlenme, çocukluk dönemi; etiyoloji.