Caracterización de intoxicaciones por sustancias químicas en niños y adolescentes en un hospital de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Caracterización de intoxicaciones por sustancias químicas en niños y adolescentes en un hospital de tercer nivel de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia.
Alternate Title:	Characterization of Chemical Intoxications in Children and Adolescents in a Tertiary Hospital in the City of Medellin, Colombia.
Authors:	Cano-Carmona, Leidy¹ leidy.canoc@udea.edu.co, Múnera-Zuluaga, Camila¹, Herrera-Velásquez, Yasury¹, Cardona-Ruda, Ana María²
Source:	Iatreia. abr2026, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p192-203. 12p.
Subjects:	Poisoning, Teenagers, Health promotion, Tertiary care, Alcoholic intoxication, Toxicology
Geographic Terms:	Colombia, Medellín (Colombia)
Abstract (English):	Introduction: Chemical poisoning represents a public health problem, which can be caused by different substances and preventable factors. Objectives: To determine the sociodemographic, clinical and exposure characteristics of children and adolescents intoxicated by chemical substances, admitted to a tertiary level hospital in Medellin between 2020 and 2022. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out based on secondary sources, with patients aged 0 to 19 years who were admitted to the Hospital San Vicente Fundación by intoxication with chemical substances, confirmed by toxicology, without a fatal outcome. Results: A total of 441 patients, form 473 poisoning reports, were analyzed, with drugs being the main substance involved (n=324). The predominant cause was suicidal/homicidal (n=287), followed by accidental poisoning (n=121). The most frequent age was 16 years (n=75). Most of the events occurred at home (n=386) and at night (n=137). Most patients required care in intensive or special care units (n=158). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of implementing prevention and education strategies to reduce poisoning in this vulnerable population, as well as addressing mental health and access to toxic substances to avoid new cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Abstract (Spanish):	Introducción: las intoxicaciones por sustancias químicas representan un problema de salud pública, y pueden ser causadas por diferentes compuestos y factores prevenibles. Objetivos: determinar las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y de exposición de los niños y adolescentes intoxicados por sustancias químicas que ingresaron a un hospital de tercer nivel, en Medellín, entre 2020 y 2022. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal a partir de fuentes secundarias de pacientes de 0 y 19 años que ingresaron al Hospital San Vicente Fundación con un cuadro de intoxicación por compuestos químicos, confirmado por toxicología y sin desenlace fatal. Resultados: se analizaron 441 casos de los 473 reportados, siendo los medicamentos la principal sustancia involucrada (n = 324). La causa predominante fue suicida/homicida (n = 287), seguida de accidental (n = 121). La edad más frecuente fue 16 años (n = 75). La mayoría de los eventos ocurrieron en el hogar (n = 386) y en horario nocturno (n = 137). La mayoría de los pacientes requirieron atención en unidades de cuidados intensivos o especiales (n = 158). Conclusiones: los hallazgos destacan la necesidad de implementar estrategias de prevención y educación para reducir las intoxicaciones en esta población vulnerable, así como la importancia de abordar la salud mental y el acceso a sustancias tóxicas para evitar nuevos episodios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	MedicLatina

Description
Abstract:	Introduction: Chemical poisoning represents a public health problem, which can be caused by different substances and preventable factors. Objectives: To determine the sociodemographic, clinical and exposure characteristics of children and adolescents intoxicated by chemical substances, admitted to a tertiary level hospital in Medellin between 2020 and 2022. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out based on secondary sources, with patients aged 0 to 19 years who were admitted to the Hospital San Vicente Fundación by intoxication with chemical substances, confirmed by toxicology, without a fatal outcome. Results: A total of 441 patients, form 473 poisoning reports, were analyzed, with drugs being the main substance involved (n=324). The predominant cause was suicidal/homicidal (n=287), followed by accidental poisoning (n=121). The most frequent age was 16 years (n=75). Most of the events occurred at home (n=386) and at night (n=137). Most patients required care in intensive or special care units (n=158). Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of implementing prevention and education strategies to reduce poisoning in this vulnerable population, as well as addressing mental health and access to toxic substances to avoid new cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	01210793
DOI:	10.17533/udea.iatreia.352