A Proposed New Scoring System for Hydrocarbon Poisoning Cases in Children in Gharbia Governorate

Abdel Raouf, Ahmed; El-Gohary, Mona S.; Oreby, Merfat; Fady, Asmaa

doi:10.21608/mjfmct.2012.47766

A Proposed New Scoring System for Hydrocarbon Poisoning Cases in Children in Gharbia Governorate

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt

² Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egyp

10.21608/mjfmct.2012.47766

Abstract

Hydrocarbons toxicity still remains a contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality in developing countries. They mainly affect both respiratory and central nervous systems. In the present study we report four prognostic grades for hydrocarbon toxicity among children, to establish a rapid bedside and detailed clinical scoring system. It was carried out on 70 hydrocarbon exposed patients less than 18 years old. They were divided into two groups; test group (50 cases) and confirmatory group (20 cases). Subsequently, in the test group; detailed toxicological history, thorough medical examination and full investigations were done. Accordingly, these patients were classified into 4 different prognostic grades as follows, grade I: cases who achieved complete cure, grade II: cases who suffered chest complications (chemical pneumonitis), grade III: cases who were admitted to ICU or put on ventilator and grade IV: dead cases. A new scoring system was established to predict prognosis of the cases. The scoring system was based on the following parameters: cyanosis, PaO2 level, CNS manifestations, pulmonary involvement, respiratory distress, and vomiting. The total scoring system number (TSN) was calculated for each patient and interpreted as follows: (TSN) less than 5: excellent prognosis and outpatient treatment is enough. (TSN) between 5-8: complete cure after hospital addmission. (TSN) between 9-11: chest complications (chemical pneumonitis). (TSN) between 12-15: ICU admission, ventilator use or death (bad prognosis). The validity of this scoring system was assessed by its application on further 20 patients (confirmatory group).

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