ORIGINAL PAPER
Epidemiologic study of children hospitalized with addictive substance intoxication
 
More details
Hide details
1
Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
 
2
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Abouzar Hospital , Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
 
3
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Forensic Medicine, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
 
 
Submission date: 2021-03-28
 
 
Acceptance date: 2021-04-24
 
 
Publication date: 2021-07-01
 
 
Pediatr Pol 2021;96(2):89-93
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Today, with the increasing prevalence of drug addiction in society, the number of children admitted to pediatric hospitals due to intoxication is increasing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of children hospitalized with narcotic drug intoxication.

Material and methods:
It was retrospective study, the records of 300 children under 14 years (including 179 boys and 114 girls) were evaluated who were admitted to Ahvaz Abuzar and Razi hospitals following intoxication with a variety of addictive substances (opium, methadone, heroin, etc.) in 2011-2016. Demographic data, patient records, poisoning information, paraclinical and treatment information and plans were recorded.

Results:
Most common causes of poisoning were Methadone 40.3%, novan (a type of sleeping Medicin) 32%, and opium 8.7%. The most common symptoms among patients were drowsiness 10.3%, decreased level of consciousness 8.3%, fever , seizures and eloquence 7.3% and patients with asymptomatic were 1.3%. GE infection was the most common underlying disease (1%), and 96% of patients did not have an underlying disease. Percentage of of patients hospitalized were 77% for 1-3 days and 3% were not hospitalized for reasons such as death. Main treatment plans were Ampul Naloxan (Maximim 10 mg) + NG Washing 16.3%, only Ampul Naloxan 9.3% and Charcol + Sorbitol + Ampul Naloxan + NG Washing 8.3%. 61% of patients were discharged with favorable conditions and 30.3% of patients were discharged with personal consent.

Conclusions:
Finding has shown that children aged 0-2 years were the most exposed to poisoning, and that methadone was the most important drug used. Given the risk of dying in poisoned children, it is necessary to prevent such intoxications, which may be deliberate, by formulating laws, while raising awareness.
REFERENCES (34)
1.
Jamshidi F, Nazari I, Malayeri HT, et al. Pattern of drug abuse in addicts self-referred drug rehabilitation centers in Khuzestan province –.
 
2.
Iran, 2014-2015. Archiwum Medycyny Sądowej i Kryminologii 2016; 66: 1-12.
 
3.
Burghardt LC, Ayers JW, Brownstein JS, et al. Adult prescription drug use and pediatric medication expo-sures and poisonings. Pediatrics 2013; 132: 18-27.
 
4.
Al-Jahdali H, Al-Johani A, Al-Hakawi A, et al. Pattern and risk factors for intentional drug overdose in Saudi Arabia. Can J Psychiatry 2004; 49: 331-334.
 
5.
Jalali N, Abdollahi M, Sharifzadeh M, et al. Mortality and morbidity of poisoning due to opium and its derivatives at Loghman Hakim Hospital Poison Center, 1994. Pejouhandeh Quarterly Research Journal 1997; 4: 9-17.
 
6.
Flanagan RJ, Rooney C, Griffiths C. Fatal poisoning in childhood, England and Wales 1968-2000. Forensic Sci Int 2005; 148: 121-129.
 
7.
Kadivar M, Javadinia N, Nemati N. A Survey on opium and its derivatives poisoning in children’s hospital medical center. Journal of Medical Council of I.R.I. Summer 2000; 18: 100-106.
 
8.
Moghadamnia AA, Abdollahi M. An epidemiological study of poisoning in northern Islamic Republic of Iran. East Mediterr Health J 2002; 8: 88-94.
 
9.
Sachdeva DK, Stadnyk JM. Are one or two dangerous? Opioid exposure in toddlers. J Emerg Med. 2005; 29: 77-84.
 
10.
Imran M, Uppal TB. Opium administration to infants in Peshawar region of Pakistan. Bull Narc 1979; 31: 69-75.
 
11.
Haddad M, Shannon W, Winchester F. Clinical management of poisoning and drug overdose. WB Saunders, Philadelphia 2007; 640-647.
 
12.
Shadnia SH, Esmaily H, Sasanian GH, et al. Pattern of acute poisoning in Tehran-Iran. Hum Exp Toxicol 2007; 26: 753.
 
13.
Nagi N, Abdulallah Z. Kerosene poisoning in children in Iraq. Postgrad Med J 1995; 71: 419-422.
 
14.
Budhathoki S, Poudel P, Shah D, et al. Clinical profile and outcome of children presenting with poisoning or intoxication: a hospital based study. Med Coll J 2009; 11: 170-175.
 
15.
Bentur Y, Desiatnic Obchinikov N, Cahana A, et al. Pediatric Poisonings in Israel: National Poison Center Data. Isr Med Assoc.
 
16.
J 2010; 12: 554-559.
 
17.
Marcdante KJ. Poisoning. In: Kliegmen RM, Macdante KJ, Jenson HB. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. WB Saunders, Philadelphia 2006.
 
18.
Hoffman RJ, Osterhoudt KC. Evaluation and management of pediatric poisonings. Pediatric Case Reviews 2002; 2: 51-63.
 
19.
Kiani M, Shamloo B, Sadeghi A. Prevention from psychotropic drug abuse by audiences. Medical Rights Journal 2011; 19: 127-173.
 
20.
Sadjadi M, Shariati N, Abbasnejad A, et al. Knowledge and attitude of students of about Gonabad University to psychotropic drug abuse. Ofoghe Danesh Journal. Gonabad University of Medical Sciences. 2009; 15: 58-65.
 
21.
Vakili M, Momeni Z, Mohammadi M, Koohgardi M. Epidemiological study of accidents in children under 6 years of Azadshahr Yazd in 2011. PSJ. 2016; 14: 49-57.
 
22.
Peden M, Oyegbite K, Ozanne-Smith J, et al. World Report on Child Injury Prevention. Geneva: Worldb Health Organization; 2008.
 
23.
Mansouri K, Soori H, Farnaghi F, Khodakarim S. Evaluation of risk factors for unintentional toxication in children: A case-control study in Tehran. Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention. 2004; 1: 183-189.
 
24.
Besharat S, Besharat M, Akhavan Masouleh A, et al. Opium intoxication in children under years old, Golestan-Iran (2010-2012).
 
25.
J Gorgan Uni Med Sci 2010; 12: 85-89.
 
26.
Nikvarz M, Faramarzpour M, Vazirinasab H, Mozaffari N. The frequency of causes of poisoning in children referred to Imam Khomeini hospital of Jiroft in 2015. J Jiroft Univ Med Sci 2017; 3: 55-64.
 
27.
Alotaibi N, Sammons H, Choonara I. Methadone toxicity in children. Arch Dis Child 2012; 97 (1).
 
28.
Watson WA, Steele MT, Muelleman RL, et al. Opioid toxicity recurrence after an initial response to naloxone. J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 1998; 36: 11-17.
 
29.
Sachdeva DK, Stadnyk JM. Are one or two dangerous? Opioid exposure in toddlers. J Emerg Med 2005; 29: 77-84.
 
30.
Allameh Y, Akrami FS, Mohammadi G, Molavi N, Babakhanian M.
 
31.
Methadone Poisoning in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-.
 
32.
Analysis in Iran. J Pediatr Rev 2017; 5: 1-8.
 
33.
LoVecchio F, Pizon A, Riley B, et al. Onset of symptoms after metha-.
 
34.
done overdose. Am J Emerg Med 2007; 25: 57-59.
 
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top