Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study
Abstract BackgroundAcute pharmaceutical exposure in children can lead to severe health outcomes and contribute to the inefficient use of medical resources. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with acute pha...
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| Format: | Article |
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JMIR Publications
2025-06-01
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| Series: | JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| Online Access: | https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e66951 |
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| author | Zhu Yan Duan Yan Ning Qu Rui Tang Jun Ting Liu Hui Wang Meng Yi Sheng Liang Liang Wang Shuang Liu Jiao Li Lin Ying Guo Si Zheng |
| author_facet | Zhu Yan Duan Yan Ning Qu Rui Tang Jun Ting Liu Hui Wang Meng Yi Sheng Liang Liang Wang Shuang Liu Jiao Li Lin Ying Guo Si Zheng |
| author_sort | Zhu Yan Duan |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Abstract
BackgroundAcute pharmaceutical exposure in children can lead to severe health outcomes and contribute to the inefficient use of medical resources.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with acute pharmaceutical exposure to guide the development of preventive strategies and educational initiatives.
MethodsWe analyzed real-world data from electronic medical records of children admitted to the emergency department of a pediatric hospital for acute pharmaceutical exposure between January 2019 and December 2023. Clinical data, including laboratory test results, interventions, and outcomes, were collected. We compared different exposure events and conducted logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for hospitalization.
ResultsA total of 653 children were included in the study. The most common drugs involved in exposure were vitamins (149/653, 22.8%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (92/653, 14.1%), and psychiatric drugs (74/653, 11.3%). In total, 74.3% (469/631) of patients with complete clinical manifestation data showed no symptoms after exposure, and 68.1% (445/653) of patients did not require specific therapy. Toxicology screening was performed for 11% (72/653) of the children, and 69.4% (50/72) of these tests were positive. Independent risk factors for hospitalization included multisystem involvement (odds ratio [OR] 4.575, 95% CI 1.709-12.251, PPP
ConclusionsChildren with acute pharmaceutical exposure exhibit diverse clinical characteristics and outcomes, with most requiring no specific treatment. However, immediate toxicology screening and clinical intervention are essential for those exhibiting rapidly developing or multisystem symptoms, as well as those with intentional exposure or exposure to known highly toxic substances. Future pediatric health care policies should emphasize safe storage practices and public education on the prevention of pharmaceutical exposure. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e532bd2692a4bcba06c1bb8689858e4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2561-6722 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | JMIR Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e532bd2692a4bcba06c1bb8689858e42025-08-20T03:23:59ZengJMIR PublicationsJMIR Pediatrics and Parenting2561-67222025-06-018e66951e6695110.2196/66951Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective StudyZhu Yan Duanhttp://orcid.org/0009-0009-1515-9472Yan Ning Quhttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-8111-9705Rui Tanghttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-4773-8558Jun Ting Liuhttp://orcid.org/0000-0003-3912-9568Hui Wanghttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-5206-4079Meng Yi Shenghttp://orcid.org/0009-0001-1407-5914Liang Liang Wanghttp://orcid.org/0009-0004-0504-6689Shuang Liuhttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-0159-2357Jiao Lihttp://orcid.org/0000-0001-6391-8343Lin Ying Guohttp://orcid.org/0009-0004-5514-6100Si Zhenghttp://orcid.org/0000-0002-9834-9774 Abstract BackgroundAcute pharmaceutical exposure in children can lead to severe health outcomes and contribute to the inefficient use of medical resources. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of children with acute pharmaceutical exposure to guide the development of preventive strategies and educational initiatives. MethodsWe analyzed real-world data from electronic medical records of children admitted to the emergency department of a pediatric hospital for acute pharmaceutical exposure between January 2019 and December 2023. Clinical data, including laboratory test results, interventions, and outcomes, were collected. We compared different exposure events and conducted logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for hospitalization. ResultsA total of 653 children were included in the study. The most common drugs involved in exposure were vitamins (149/653, 22.8%), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (92/653, 14.1%), and psychiatric drugs (74/653, 11.3%). In total, 74.3% (469/631) of patients with complete clinical manifestation data showed no symptoms after exposure, and 68.1% (445/653) of patients did not require specific therapy. Toxicology screening was performed for 11% (72/653) of the children, and 69.4% (50/72) of these tests were positive. Independent risk factors for hospitalization included multisystem involvement (odds ratio [OR] 4.575, 95% CI 1.709-12.251, PPP ConclusionsChildren with acute pharmaceutical exposure exhibit diverse clinical characteristics and outcomes, with most requiring no specific treatment. However, immediate toxicology screening and clinical intervention are essential for those exhibiting rapidly developing or multisystem symptoms, as well as those with intentional exposure or exposure to known highly toxic substances. Future pediatric health care policies should emphasize safe storage practices and public education on the prevention of pharmaceutical exposure.https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e66951 |
| spellingShingle | Zhu Yan Duan Yan Ning Qu Rui Tang Jun Ting Liu Hui Wang Meng Yi Sheng Liang Liang Wang Shuang Liu Jiao Li Lin Ying Guo Si Zheng Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting |
| title | Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study |
| title_full | Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study |
| title_fullStr | Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study |
| title_short | Evaluating the Characteristics and Outcomes of Acute Pharmaceutical Exposure in Children: 5-Year Retrospective Study |
| title_sort | evaluating the characteristics and outcomes of acute pharmaceutical exposure in children 5 year retrospective study |
| url | https://pediatrics.jmir.org/2025/1/e66951 |
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