Safe storage is critical to preventing drug poisoning in children

New data shows that the number of children who have a seizure after swallowing medication or illegal substances doubled in the United States between 2009 and 2023. The results were presented today (Wednesday) at the European Emergency Medicine Congress.

The most common substances involved in these poisonings include over-the-counter antihistamines, prescription antidepressants and painkillers, and illegal synthetic cannabinoids.

A seizure is one of the most serious symptoms that can occur in a poisoned patient, and children are particularly at risk. Depending on variables such as where a seizure occurs, how long it lasts, and the child’s health, seizures can result in long-term harm or even death.”

Dr. Conner McDonald, University of Virginia School of Medicine

In collaboration with Professor Christopher Holstege, head of the Division of Medical Toxicology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, and colleagues, Dr. Farah Data from the US National Poison Data System on seizures in children and adolescents (under 20 years of age). resulting from exposure to a single substance between January 1, 2009 and December 31, 2023.

The National Poison Data System brings together information from the 55 poison control centers in the United States. These centers are consulted in the most serious cases of poisoning, including those in children that result in seizures.

The researchers analyzed the data by the age of the children and the substance consumed. Overall, they found that the number of cases had increased from 1,418 in 2009 to 2,749 in 2023, an average annual increase of five percent.

In children between the ages of six and 19, the number of cases had doubled in 15 years. There has been a 45% increase in cases in children under six years of age over 15 years.

The substances responsible for most of this increase include diphenhydramine (an over-the-counter antihistamine commonly used for allergies, hay fever, and nasal congestion), tramadol (an opioid prescribed for pain in adults), and bupropion ( an antidepressant prescribed to adults and children). ) and synthetic cannabinoids known as K2 or spice (illegal substances that are manufactured artificially and are chemically similar to substances found in the cannabis plant).

Dr. McDonald explained: “Diphenhydramine can be purchased in the United States in bottles of 500 or 600 tablets. Bupropion is increasingly being prescribed to treat depression in adults and children. Other legal and illegal medications can be purchased online and shipped around the world. “As a result, these medications are increasingly available in private homes and within the reach of children.”

Professor Holstege told Congress: “The increase in seizures in children exposed to these drugs is extremely worrying and must be addressed. This is a clear reminder to parents and carers to keep medicines safe so children cannot reach them.”

“In the US, we also need to have a serious discussion about whether products like diphenhydramine should be sold in containers containing such large quantities of pills, and whether these products should be contained in blister packs to make it more difficult for children and suicidal people to have access to such a large number Quantity received.

Dr. Barbra Backus is Chair of the EUSEM Abstract Selection Committee. She is an emergency doctor in Rotterdam, Netherlands. and was not involved in the research. She said: “The increase in drug poisonings among children is worrying. Although this data is for the United States, we know that drugs are the most common source of poisoning in children around the world. It is important that we continue to look for safer distribution and security.” Storing medicines in blister packs and child-resistant pill bottles can be helpful, but all medicines, whether over-the-counter, prescription or illegal, should be kept out of the reach of children or locked away .

“No parent or caregiver ever wants to see their child suffer a drug-induced seizure, especially if it could have been prevented.”