Epidemiological, clinical and evolutionary profile of drug poisonings in a general paediatric unit

Abstract

Background: Drug poisoning is a major public health problem in paediatrics. The objective was to study the epidemiological characteristics, and evolution of drug poisoning in children in the governorate of Bizerte. Methods: Retrospective descriptive study conducted in the paediatric department of Habib Bougatfa Hospital in Bizerte over a 5-year period (January 2020 - December 2024), including all children aged 1 month to 14 years hospitalized for drug poisoning. Results: Among 103 hospitalized children, the hospital incidence was 0.74% with a peak in 2020 (1.24%). The sex ratio was 1.12 and the mean age was 54.8 months. Children over 3 years old represented 61.85% of cases. Poisoning was accidental in 81.5% of cases, occurring mainly at home with drug accessibility in 90% of situations. Parental chronic diseases were found in 25.3% of children, dominated by neuropsychiatric disorders (16%). Antiepileptics (30%) and antipsychotics (13.7%) were the most frequently involved medications. The mean consultation delay was 8 hours. The outcome was favourable in 98.1% of cases with an average hospital stay of 2 days, significantly longer in case of intentional poisoning (5.1 vs 2.1 days, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Paediatric drug poisoning occurs mainly accidentally in young children. Intentional poisonings are the most serious. Targeted preventive measures are essential.