[Profile of acute poisoning in Italy. Analysis of the data reported by Poison Centres].

Information relative to about 400 000 cases of human intoxications, registered by nine Italian Poison Centres between 1991 and 1998 is presented. Data have been collected and elaborated in the framework of an European project on improving the prevention and treatment of acute human poisoning (90/C 329/EEC Resolution). Sex, age group, etiological agent, place and circumstances of poisoning and risk estimation are the parameters analyzed for the characterization of this phenomenon. The following conclusions can be summarized from the overall picture. There is a slight prevalence of males over females (50.0% against 45.7%); 1-4 year age group presents the highest risk (37.0%), followed by 20-49 group (25.8%); drugs and household products are the prevalent causes of intoxications (37.4% and 26.0%, respectively); home is the place where 84.9% of accidents occur. Poisoning is accidental in 73.5% of the cases whilst suicides represent 18.7%. However, the outcome is positive in almost all cases and fatal accidents are not reported in the present casuistry.