The No. 1 Cause of Kids' Visits to Emergency Rooms, and What Parents Can Do
What sort of misadventure do you think brings most young children into the emergency room? Most people would guess car accidents. Most people would be wrong.
It’s poisoning by drugs. According to the National Capital Poison Center, this stark reality is the result of more children having access to and swallowing prescription drugs at home.
More adults are using prescription medication, especially of the pain-killing variety such as oxycodone, hydromorphone, morphine, methadone and fentanyl. And older children with chronic conditions are adding to the prescription drug bottom line with meds to treat their attention deficit disorders and, increasingly, Type 2 diabetes.
The danger to the wee ones simply reflects the law of averages: The more medicines present in young children’s homes, the greater the likelihood they will find and swallow them.
The most dangerous prescription medicines for children are those that treat:
- diabetes;
- pain (opioids, or narcotics);
- anxiety, muscle spasms and sleep problems;
- heart disease and high blood pressure.
Medicines should be locked up, but that can be tough if the rightful patient requires frequent dosing. Travel also complicates safe storage. And even the most vigilant parent gets interrupted and distracted while taking medicines.
To minimize the incidence of childhood poisoning, researchers such as those involved in a Journal of Pediatrics study propose that packaging limit the amount of drug available (children can’t open many child-resistant blister packs at one time). Liquid medicines as well could be dispensed in single-dose containers.
Other poison-prevention measure suggested by the Poison Center:
- Use child-resistant packaging. Replace caps tightly after use.
- Lock all medicines up high, out of sight and reach of children.
- Take medicines when children aren’t looking—children imitate adults.
- When traveling, ensure that medicines are locked away from children.
If you think a child may have swallowed too much medicine or someone else’s medicine, call the poison center immediately at 800-222-1222.
Families interested in learning more about our firm's legal services, including legal representation for children who have suffered serious injuries in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia due to medical malpractice, defective products, birth-related trauma or other injuries, may ask questions or send us information about a particular case by phone or email. There is no charge for contacting us regarding your inquiry. An attorney will respond within 24 hours.
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