A Retrospective Analysis of Acute Poisoning During Pregnancy

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate and analyse pregnant women who were admitted to our emergency service due to acute poisoning. Material and Methods: All cases were retrospectively collected from our computer records and emergency record book between 01.01.2006 and 01.01.2010; the registration data on age, gravidity, gestational week, whether the poisoning was deliberate or accidental, causative agent, admission time, treatment results and mortality outcome were collected and analyzed. Results: Eighty eight women admitted with acute poisoning were known to be pregnant and the poisoning was accidental in 23% of the cases, while 77% were suicidal intoxications. 74% of patients were in the 21-34 age group. Accidental intoxications were due to carbon monoxide, foods and cleaning products. 75.4% of the suicidal poisonings were caused by medical drugs, with analgesics, multiple drugs and psychiatric drugs being the top culprits and accounted for 53%, 31% and 16% of drug poisonings respectively. In terms of gestational week, 47.4% of suicidal poisonings were within the first trimester and the relationship between suicidal attempt and gestational week was found to be statistically significant (p<0.015). However, the relationship between gravidity and the rate of suicidal attempts was not statistically significant (p=0.214). All patients were followed up and treated in the emergency service and no mortality was observed in the study. Conclusion: Most cases of acute poisonings during pregnancy were suicidal. Pregnant women attempted suicide mostly within the first trimester of gestation. The most common agents used for suicidal attempt were medical drugs.