Accidental poisoning in children in Malta

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the problem of poisoning in Maltese children over a ten year period and present suggestions for its prevention. The case histories of children with poisoning brought to St. Lukes Hospital Malta were reviewed from January 1959 to December 1968, inclusive. Throughout this period 1088 cases were dealt with. There was only one death due to poisoning in this series of 1088 cases, a mortality rate of less than 0.1 %. The cases were classified into Medicinal Preparations, whether in tablet, liquid or other form, and Household Agents, predominantly kerosene, disinfectants and detergents. The occurrences were analysed for age and sex, monthly incidence, time-lag between ingestion and arrival in hospital, the presence of any concomitant illness, the number of siblings, admission with siblings, complications and length of stay in hospital. An attempt was made to relate the distribution of cases to socio-economic status as reflected in the father's occupation.