Clinical toxicologist reports rise in poisoning cases in the country

June 9, 2018 Community Billboard

BAGUIO CITY – Ingestion or exposure to substances that have dangerous effects in the body, whether deliberate or accidental, constitute poisoning cases, said Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) Clinical Toxicology Consultant Dr. Nowell Benedict C. Catbagan during the regular Kapihan sa Baguio at the Department of Health (DOH) Secretary’s Cottage, June 7. 
Citing statistics from the National Poison Management and Control Center (NPMCC) Information Service, Dr. Catbagan shared that the center handled a total of 4,509 phone referrals of poisoning cases from all hospitals in the country in 2017.
Poisoning cases are delineated between two age groups, the adult and pediatric population.
For adults, the most common cause is caustic agents or household items such as muriatic acid, bleach, and liquid lye. Second is the use of prohibited drugs like methamphetamine, followed by high dose intake of medicines such as paracetamol. Most cases among adults are non-accidental such as intentional poisoning or suicidal acts.
For pediatrics, kerosene is the leading cause of poisoning cases nationwide. Unlike in adults, most of the incidents are accidental by nature.
In 2017, the BGHMC has recorded a total of 250 admissions and consultations for toxicology and poison-related cases. Seventy percent of which is intentional, caustic agents being the primary cause. The number seems to increase this year since the hospital has already recorded 113 cases during the 1st quarter of 2018.
Due to the rising number of accidental cases of poisoning among children, Dr. Catbagan reminded the parents not to leave their kids unattended and to never transfer hazardous household substances to drinking containers. If poisoning already took place, he shared a first aid measure applicable only when it is due to caustic agents. One is by drinking 4 to 8 raw egg whites for children and 8 to 12 for adults to decrease the contact time between the poison and the gastrointestinal tract. Another is by washing the patient’s body with running water and alkaline soap.
However, despite this measure, the best thing to do is to bring the patient to the nearest hospital immediately. DOH Press Release / ABN