Prevalence and Characteristics of Pediatric Opioid Exposures and Poisonings in the United States

Abstract

Objective To examine the prevalence and characteristics of pediatric opioid exposures and poisonings in the US. Study design This was a retrospective, cross‐sectional analysis using the National Poison Data System from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2014. Records of children aged <18 years with exposure to opioid‐containing medications were identified. Standardized prevalence rates were calculated, and the annual trend was examined. Pediatric opioid exposures were characterized descriptively, and logistic regression was performed to estimate the association between various clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and exposures with serious (ie, moderate, major, or death) outcomes. The association of pediatric opioid exposures and area‐level socioeconomic status factors at 5‐digit ZIP code level was examined descriptively. Results The prevalence of opioid exposures was 22.6 per 100 000 children and was particularly high among ≤5‐year‐olds. Prevalence declined from 25.5 to 20 per 100 000 children from 2010 to 2014. There were 83 418 pediatric opioid exposures over the 5‐year period and nearly one‐half resulted in poisoning. Over 60% of exposures were among children ≤5 years of age, 73.4% were unintentional, and over 90% occurred at home. One in every 2 pediatric opioid exposures was evaluated in a healthcare facility. Annually 4912 children aged ≤5 years were treated in the emergency department or admitted for care. Older age, nonaccidental intent, and single‐substance opioid, especially buprenorphine and methadone, were associated with serious outcomes (P < .05). Positive correlations were observed for area‐level socioeconomic status factors including proportion of adults and pediatric opioid exposures. Conclusions Pediatric opioid exposures and poisonings decreased from 2010 to 2014 but morbidity remains high. The epidemiology of opioid exposures differed considerably by age.