Toxicology Practice During COVID-19 Pandemic: Experience of the Dammam Poison Control Center-Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

Background: The sudden emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and scarcity accurate information especially in initial phase struggle presented a series challenges to health systems. Objective: To evaluate changes poisoning cases regarding distribution, types, characteristics for better framing planning role our field responding pandemics. Methods: Study telephone consultation calls toxicology analysis records referred Dammam Poison Control Center Saudi Arabia during first half 2020. Their distribution according frequencies, causes, other was compared 2019. Results: Analysis revealed that proportion exposure disinfectants hand sanitizers 2020 increased 20.4% (n = 496) 3.4% 83), respectively, 9.8% 215) 0.4% 10) surface sanitizers, In 2020, dominated preschool children (0-5 years). total number suspected drugs/drugs abuse overdose 6 months 783) showed significant decrease (P < 0.001) 2019 1086). Conclusion: availability use significantly risk poisoning, preschool-aged children. Public education prevention such home exposures is urgently needed avoid unnecessary emergency medical system critical time.