ACUTE CHEMICAL POISONINGS IN CHILDREN IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA: A FIVE-YEAR RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14531280Keywords:
acute poisoning, children, drugs, alcohol, gases, pesticides, affectedAbstract
Objectives. To analyze cases of acute chemical poisonings (ACPs) in children, in the Republic of Moldova, from 2019 to 2023, for determine the types of chemicals involved in such incidents (medications, pesticides, household chemicals, etc), and the distribution of poisoning according to the age of the children.
Methods. A descriptive, retrospective study was carried out, based on statistical data from the health statistics form f. 18 and other national reports. Cases of acute chemical poisoning in children aged 0-18 years were analyzed, excluding other types of poisoning.
Results. Statistical data analysis revealed a total of 3942 cases of ACP in children, with a predominance of children aged 0-3 years (40% of cases) and an increase in intentional poisonings among adolescents. Drug intoxication was the most common, totaling 1723 cases, followed by alcohol (519 children intoxicated) and gas (510 cases). There was an initial downward trend in cases from 2020 to 590 cases, but from 2021, this number began to rise again, affecting 854 children.
Conclusions. ACPs in children remains a significant public health problem. Preventive measures, including parent education and awareness campaigns, are essential to reduce the number of poisonings, especially among young children and adolescents.
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