Toxic Threats and Timely Care:2024 Annual Report of Poisoning Treatment Unit at Zagazig University hospital

Background: Acute poisoning is a critical medical emergency that leads to significant proportions of morbidity that affect the economy and development. Aim of the work: This study provided comprehensive data about features, pattern and outcome of acute poisoned patients attended to Zagazig University Poisoning Treatment Unit (ZUPTU) from January 2024 to end of December 2024. Patients and methods: Retrospective observational research was conducted using information gathered from medical files of ZUPTU. 2178 poisoned patients were included in this study. Results: According to age, the cases of age range from >18 to 40 years old presented the majority of cases. The male group, suicidal cases, oral ingestion, and urban residence represented the majority of cases. 30.7% of cases were admitted to ZUPTU and 14.9% of studied cases were admitted to intensive care unit (ICU). The majority of cases were mild and received conservative treatment and decontamination. Poisoning by therapeutics and pesticides represented the main groups of poisoning. 67% of studied cases were improved and discharged, while 20.7% were discharged on demand. 4.4% cases were died. 81.2% of died cases were from aluminum phosphide poisoning. Conclusion: Acute intoxication is mainly suicidal. Therapeutic drugs were the commonest followed by pesticides. Efficient gastrointestinal decontamination plus supportive treatment had the upper hand in managing these cases. Psychological supportive aids for patients with suicidal attempts, restrictive laws banning drug purchasing without formal prescriptions, educational plans to raise alertness about toxic compounds are recommended.