Opioid Poisoning in Children

6214346

PHI 227

Opioid Poisoning in Children

From 1997 to 2012 the number of children hospitalized for opioid poisoning increased by 165%. Considering that enough opioids are prescribed every year to put at least 1 bottle in every house hold, it does not seem too surprising. What is surprising is that the rate of toddlers hospitalized had more than doubled over this period. Although, American Academy of Pediatrics research does show teens seem to be the most troubled group with opioid poisoning. They are more likely to be poisoned deliberately due to the high risk of depression and suicide. Though opioid poisoning is more widely viewed as an adult problem, we must recognize that teens and toddlers are being impacted greatly (Luthra).

After seeing such a major rise in children and adolescents being hospitalized for opioid poisoning, finding ways to prevent is critical. Opioids can be prescribed in multiple forms, some of which may seem appealing to young children. Before prescribing an opioid to a patient, reviewing their situation and informing them of the dangers is critical and must be a step that physicians and pharmacist should take bigger steps to accomplish. When prescribing them in the form of film or lollipop they should thoroughly go over the risks of poisoning for them as well as for children, emphasizing the need to keep them in a safe place.

Prescribing opioids less and in smaller amounts could contribute greatly to reducing the number of children exposed to these drugs. From the 90’s to 00’s the rate of young patients prescribed opioids almost doubled (Luthra). Creating guidelines and finding alternatives to prescribing such hard drugs to teens in children should also help reduce the number of kids getting ahold of these without a prescription as well as reduce the number of children who will possibly suffer long-term effects of the drugs even if prescribed them.

A quarter of the United States population is made up by children (Luthra) and that part of the population is going to be in crisis if we don’t find a solution. The significant importance of children and their future must be considered when setting an urgency to the situation. With lack of research on the long-term effects of opioids on children/teens, we have little knowledge of how to help them prevent addiction and other issues that may have been caused using opioids (prescribed or not). Even though prescribers should be the biggest factor in the rates going up, they do not have full control on whoever gets their hands on any drugs they prescribe and it becomes an external issue. Unfortunately, most children that are prescribed these drugs truly need them. Children and teens getting ahold of these drugs externally is the responsibility of the person in charge of the drugs in that home. Parents and or care givers must be responsible when administering, taking, and locking up these drugs. If the care giver is ignorant the risk is much greater, almost as great as the care giver taking the drugs themselves. Steps need to be taking by all parties to ensure safety.