Factors associated with hydrocarbon ingestion in children.

Objective: To investigate the types of hydrocarbon ingested by children and identify factors associated with hydrocarbons ingestion.

Patients And Methods: It was a hospital based case control study in which medical records of sixty seven children with hydrocarbon ingestion, admitted through emergency department between January 2001 to December 2005 of Aga Khan Hospital were reviewed. Variables such as age, sex, types of hydrocarbons, amount ingested, socioeconomic status, family size, number of children, type of containers, trend of ingestion during hot weather, length of stay at hospital along with the outcomes were evaluated.

Results: Out of 67 patients, 53 (79%) were male and 14 (21%) were female. Majority of children 36 (54%) were between the ages 2-5 years. Kerosene oil 59 (88%) was the most commonly ingested hydrocarbons. Socioeconomically 48 (71%) children belonged to lower middle class. Children with large family size (> or = 3 siblings/family) were more commonly affected. Hydrocarbon were mostly 41 (61%) stored in beverages and mineral water bottles. The accident occurred in 43 (65%) during summer, whereas 34 (56%) patients had presented with fever and cough. Consolidation of lungs was found in 38 (56%) cases. Majority 53 (79%) of the patients were discharged from the hospital within the first 24 hours of admission. Male, age < 2 years, large family size, poor socioeconomic status, hot weather (afternoon and summer vacations), kerosene oil, unsafe containers were the major factors loading to hydrocarbon ingestion in this study.

Conclusion: There is a need for strategic planning with parent awareness programs to reduce the hydrocarbon poisoning in our children.