RESUMEN Introduccion: las intoxicaciones exogenas han adquirido paulatinamente la condicion de problema de salud publica, particularmente en el area pediatrica, dado que son causantes de hasta un 10% de todos los ingresos a la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo pediatrica. Objetivo: caracterizar los patrones epidemiologicos generales de la intoxicacion exogena aguda ocurrida en ninos y adolescentes de menos de 18 anos, ingresados al servicio de urgencias del Hospital Regional de Sogamoso, Boyaca, durante el periodo comprendido entre enero de 2010 y junio de 2013. Materiales y Metodos: estudio observacional descriptivo. Se realizo una revision sistematica de 143 historias clinicas de menores de 18 anos ingresados al servicio de urgencias con diagnostico de intoxicacion exogena; se evaluaron variables como edad, genero, agente, via de administracion, motivo, sitio de ocurrencia y desenlace. Resultados: media de edad 10,5 anos (SD=5,6); 56,6% de los casos ocurrieron en pacientes de sexo femenino. Se identificaron dos patrones temporales de intoxicacion: uno accidental en menores de cinco anos y otro con motivacion suicida en adolescentes, mas frecuente en mujeres. La mayoria de eventos ocurrieron en casa y las sustancias mas frecuentemente involucradas fueron medicamentos y productos de higiene y aseo como plaguicidas y desinfectantes; alta prevalencia de intoxicacion accidental por alimentos contaminados; en 5,9% de los casos se encontro como comorbilidad el abuso sexual. Conclusiones: es recomendable el diseno e implementacion de acciones educativas dirigidas a padres y cuidadores, asi como la de intervenciones de vigilancia y control de situaciones propiciadoras de la conducta suicida como los estados depresivos y el estres en adolescentes. (MED. UIS. 2014;27(1):9-15) Palabras clave: Intoxicacion. Accidente Domestico. Ideacion Suicida. Characterization of exogenous poisoning in children and teenagers at Sogamoso, Boyaca, during the period 2010 to 2013 ABSTRACT Introduction: exogenous poisoning has gradually acquired the status of a public health problem, particularly in the pediatric area, since they are causing up to 10% of all admissions to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Objective: to characterize the general epidemiological patterns of acute exogenous poisoning, occurred in children and teenagers aged less than 18 years, admitted to the emergency department of the Hospital Regional de Sogamoso, Boyaca, during the period between january 2010 and june 2013. Materials and Methods: descriptive observational study. We conducted a systematic review of 143 medical records of children aged less than 18 years, admitted to the emergency department with a diagnosis of exogenous intoxication. There were evaluated variables such as age, gender, agent, route of administration, motive, site of occurrence and final outcome. Results: mean age 10.5 years (SD = 5.6), 56.6% of cases occurred in girls. It was present two temporal patterns of intoxication, one accidental in children aged equal or less than five years and another motivated by suicidal ideation in teenagers, more common in female. Most events occurred at home and the substances most frequently involved were medicaments and hygiene products and cleaning as pesticides and disinfectants. There was high prevalence of accidental poisoning from contaminated food. In 5.9% of cases was found sexual abuse comorbidity. Conclusions: it’s recommendable the design and implementation of educational activities aimed to parents and caretakers, as well as monitoring and control interventions on cases with propitiating situations of suicidal ideation such as depression and stress in teenagers. (MED. UIS. 2014;27(1):9-15) Keywords: Poisoning. Home Accidents. Suicidal Ideation. ?Como citar este articulo?: Galvis AL, Ospina JM, Manrique FG. Caracterizacion de la intoxicacion exogena en ninos y adolescentes en Sogamoso, Boyaca durante el periodo de 2010 a 2013. MED. UIS. 2014;27(1):9-15).