A Retrospective Study Of Toxic Coma Among Patients Admitted To Poison Control Center In Ain Shams University Hospitals During 2015

Abstract

Coma is a state of extreme unresponsiveness, in which an individual exhibits no voluntary movement or behavior. Furthermore, in a deep coma, even painful stimuli are unable to affect any response, and normal reflexes may be lost. Comatose cases are at high risk for morbidity and mortality. A rapid and systematic diagnostic work up to evaluate and potentially treat the underlying etiology is mandatory. In patients presenting to the emergency department with impaired consciousness, poisoning has been shown to be the most common underlying cause. Numerous substances are capable of producing coma and they can be classified into two groups: