Study Variables

Variables included in this study were age, sex, date of exposure, exposure site, management site, highest level of health care received, and medical outcome. Age was grouped as 6–12 and 13–19 years old. Exposure site was categorized as (1) residence (own or other), (2) school, (3) other, and (4) unknown. The highest level of health care received was categorized as (1) no health care facility (HCF) care received, (2) treated/evaluated and released, (3) admitted to a HCF (including to a critical care unit [CCU], non-CCU, or psychiatric facility), (4) refused referral/did not arrive at HCF, and (5) unknown (including left against medical advice and lost to follow-up). Medical outcome was categorized as (1) no effect, (2) minor effect, (3) moderate effect, (4) major effect, (5) death, and (6) unknown (including not followed [minimal clinical effects possible], not followed [judged as a non-toxic exposure], or unable to follow [judged as potentially toxic exposure]). Major effect is defined by the NPDS as symptoms which are life-threatening or result in significant residual disability or disfigurement; moderate effect is defined as symptoms which are more pronounced, more prolonged, or more of a systemic nature than minor symptoms; and minor effect is defined as symptoms that usually resolve rapidly without residual disability or disfigurement [14]. During analyses, the moderate effect, major effect, and death categories were combined into a “serious medical outcome” category.