"Using data collected from calls made to U.S. poison centers, researchers found that there were over 1.5 million substance exposures reported in kids ages 6 to 12 from 2000 to 2023. Almost half of the exposures in this study were associated with therapeutic errors - think, the child took two doses of a medication by accident or was given it twice by parents who hadn't realized the other had already done so."
"The overall substance exposure rate increased by 54% over the last 23 years. Exposures that had to do with self-harm only accounted for less than 5% of those 1.5 million calls, but those children were more likely to be hospitalized or have serious outcomes. The substance exposure rate associated with self-harm or suicidal intent increased by 72% among 6- to 10-year-olds, 398% for 11-year-olds, and 343% in 12-year-olds."
More than 1.5 million substance exposures occurred in U.S. poison center calls for children ages 6 to 12 between 2000 and 2023. Nearly half of exposures involved therapeutic errors, such as accidental double-dosing or being given a dose twice. Some exposures involved suspected self-harm or suicidal intent. Overall exposure rates rose 54% over 23 years. Self-harm–related exposures, while under 5% of calls, resulted in more hospitalizations and serious outcomes and increased dramatically by age: 72% for ages 6–10, 398% for 11-year-olds, and 343% for 12-year-olds. Top substances included pain relievers, antihistamines, cough/cold meds, stimulants/street drugs, and vitamins. Most prior research focuses on children under 6 or adolescents, leaving middle childhood less examined.
Read at Scary Mommy
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]