Objective:
In this study; we aimed to analyze the demographic characteristics of patients,
causative agent, length of intensive care unit stay, need for mechanical
ventilation and extracorporeal support therapy over a two-year period in our pediatric
intensive care unit.

Material and Methods:
The records of 138 patients accepted to the pediatric intensive care unit
(PICU) with poisoning from 1 January 2017- 31 December 2018 were
retrospectively evaluated according to their demographic characteristics,
etiology, admission time to emergency service and length of stay in the PICU
and the hospital.

Results:
Seventy-four (53,6%) of 138 patients who were admitted to the PICU with
poisoning were female and 64 (46,4%) were male. The mean age was 118,4 month.
34,8% of poisoning cases were accidental, 50,8% were suicidal and 14,4% were
synthetic cannabinoid, alcohol or drug abuse. 106 (76,8%) of cases were
drug-related, while 23,2% were the non-drug-related. Central nervous system
drugs were the most common agent in drug-related poisoning, however, synthetic
cannabinoids were the most common in nondrug-related poisoning. The mean
duration of stay in the PICU was 2,2 days and the mortality rate was 2,1%.

Conclusion:
Childhood intoxications in one of the most common causes of admission to hospital.
The early notice and appropriate therapeutic approach for poisoning seem to be
effective and life-saving. Family education, keeping drugs in unreachable
places for children, unavailability of drugs without a prescription are
important factors to prevent poisoning. In our study, an increase was found in
the rate of intoxication with synthetic cannabinoid, alcohol or drug abuse. In
order to reduce this increment, public awareness and state
supervision should be increased.

Keywords: Intoxications, pediatric intensive care unit, synthetic cannabinoid