The number of American children who suffered a seizure after ingesting someone else’s drugs or illegal substances nearly doubled between 2009 and 2023, a new study finds.
These types of seizures in people younger than 20 increased from 1,418 in 2009 to 2,749 in 2023, according to an analysis of national poison data by University of Virginia researchers.
The poisonings most commonly involved over-the-counter antihistamines, prescription antidepressants and pain relievers, and illegal synthetic cannabinoids.
Incidents increased annually by an average of 5%. Among people aged 6 to 19, cases doubled over 15 years. There has been a 45% increase in cases of children younger than 6 years.
“Convulsions are one of the most severe symptoms that a poisoned patient can experience, and children are particularly vulnerable,” said Dr. Conner McDonald of the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
“Depending on variables such as where a seizure occurs, how long it lasts and the child’s pre-existing health, seizures can lead to long-term damage or even death,” McDonald added.
His team attributed the “extremely disturbing” increase in cases to easy access to diphenhydramine, commonly known as Benadryl, an over-the-counter antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms, the pain reliever tramadol, the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin) and synthetic drugs designed. like K2 or spice.
“Legal and illegal drugs can be bought online and shipped around the world,” McDonald explained. “Therefore, these drugs are becoming more available at home and within reach of children.”
The researchers — who presented their findings Wednesday at the European Congress of Emergency Medicine in Copenhagen, Denmark — are calling on manufacturers to package the drugs in child-resistant pill bottles and blister packs, where the user must push the tablet through the foil and for parents to keep the drug safely away from children.
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