Study: Medications Top Cause of Accidental Child Poisoning Deaths

Thursday, March 22nd, 2012

Since the late 1970s, the number of accidental child poisoning deaths has nearly doubled, a new study conducted by Safe Kids Worldwide has found.  In that same period of time, the number of overall poisoning deaths has fallen drastically, but 64 percent of the current number of deaths are due to the misuse of medications.

“About 165 kids — or roughly four school busloads of children — are seen in emergency rooms for medication-related treatment every day in the U.S.,” said Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide, in a statement. “Every one of those trips was preventable. We can and must do better.”

The group offered some safety tips to prevent medication-related poisoning, including:

• Always put medicines and vitamins away after every use. Never leave them on the counter between dosings. Don’t be tempted to “keep them handy” in a purse, backpack, or briefcase, or in an unlocked cabinet or a drawer within a child’s reach.
• Always read and follow label instructions when giving medicines to children.
• Only use the dosing device that comes with the medication. Never use a household utensil, such as a teaspoon or tablespoon, to measure medication.
• Up to 20 percent of pediatric poisonings involve a grandparent’s medication.⁹ Make sure that all medications in the child’s environment are stored out of reach and out of sight.
• Program the nationwide poison control center number (1-800-222-1222) into your phones.

Image: Prescription drugs, via Shutterstock.

Study: Teen ADHD Medication Rates Rising

Friday, September 30th, 2011

The number of stimulant medications prescribed to teenagers for the treatment of attention-defecit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has more than doubled since 1996, a new national study has found.  As MedPage Today reports:

…Among those ages 13 to 18, the rate of use increased by 6.5% annually, rising from 2.3% (95% CI 1.5 to 3.1) in 1996 and reaching 5% (95% CI 3.9 to 6.1) by 2008 (P<0.001), the researchers reported online in the American Journal of Psychiatry.

Some 9% of children ages 6 to 17 at some time have been diagnosed as having ADHD. Prescribing of stimulant medications rose sharply in the 1990s, and in the subsequent decade numerous new formulations were developed.

“As the market for ADHD medications has expanded, concerns have been raised about the possible misuse and abuse of stimulants, especially because the increase in ADHD diagnoses has been most marked in adolescents,” the researchers wrote.

The study also noted that three times as many boys as girls are prescribed the ADHD medication.