The last day of the three-day conference, organized by the Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), witnessed the discovery of two studies of accidental poisoning of children as a result of taking medicines at home. A pediatrician in Sheikh Khalifa City, Dr. Salama bin Nasser Al-Sahli, a study of children who reviewed the emergency department because of the use of chemicals and drugs and medicines under the age of 10 years, pointing to the number of 226 children, the results of the study that one-third of them took drugs at their disposal at home, of which 14% ate Analgesics for adults.
She pointed out that a large proportion of children also took hormones, «Insulin» and contraceptives, noting the need to develop special specifications for cans of medicine, so that the child can not open them in the event of arrival.
Sahli added that the study also monitored children who took cleaning materials, noting that the complications are very serious.
She pointed out that 95% of the cases of poisoning children with chemicals and drugs were carried out in the home, because of the neglect of parents, pointing out that the majority of cases were children under the age of two years.
Dr. Tarek Al-Ezabi, Pediatric Consultant at Al-Ain Hospital, presented a similar study to monitor the cases of poisoning of children in the emergency department of Al-Ain hospital. The study examined 475 children who were referred to the hospital during four years under the age of five years. The results of the study showed that the vast majority of cases of poisoning were due to the consumption of chemicals, drugs and cleaning materials in the house, pointing out that about 80% of the cases of drugs and toxic substances were stored outside their cans, which resulted in confusion of children and push them to address.
The conference, attended by more than 700 healthcare professionals from all over the world, called for the application of modern genetic tests within the state to help diagnose rare medical cases, establish a specialized hospital that combines sub specialties in pediatrics, while participating doctors warned of the danger of leaving drugs Medical supplies, chemicals and cleaning materials are available to children, calling for the establishment of a poison control center to properly handle poisoning cases and to guide health-care practitioners in an appropriate manner.
The conference stressed the importance of combating obesity in children through healthy food and physical activity and monitoring their weight in health institutions for early intervention. Studies have shown that the majority of non-communicable diseases are caused by obesity, in addition to raising awareness about child accidents, Studies have shown that most child accidents occur at home.