Author: Job Cyriac, Assistant Professor & Deputy Police Surgeon
Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical College, Calicut 673008, South India
Abstract
Poisoning is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in pediatric population. Since reliable information as to the incidence of childhood poisoning is lacking in this part of India (Calicut), this study was conducted with special emphasis on assessing the incidence, pattern of poisoning, presentation, complications, final outcome, and postmortem findings (in fatal cases).
The study comprised studying both clinical and pathological features over a period of six months starting from 01-01-1999. The results suggest that the majority of the cases were accidental (96.8%), while 2.5% of cases were homicidal. There is male preponderance. Kerosene is the commonest poison involved (42.5%). Majority of the patients were toddlers between the ages of 1 and 3. Improper storage of toxic substances, curiosity on the part of the victim, and ignorance about the hazardous nature of a particular substance were the commonest factors in all the accidental cases of poisoning.
