Surge in Fentanyl Poisoning Among Children in the US: 44.6% Life-Threatening Cases Reported

Synopsis

A new study reveals a concerning increase in fentanyl poisoning among children in the US, with 44.6% of cases being life-threatening. The analysis covered incidents from 2015 to 2023, showing a dramatic rise in exposures particularly in young adolescents. Urgent measures for prevention and awareness are highlighted by experts.

Key Takeaways

44.6% of pediatric fentanyl exposures in 2023 were life-threatening.
Majority of cases involved unintentional exposure in younger children.
Significant increase in fentanyl use for non-medical purposes among teens.
Over 70,000 synthetic opioid-related deaths recorded annually.
Awareness and prevention are critical for parents.

New York, March 9 (NationPress) A recent study has indicated a troubling rise in the number of children in the US experiencing poisoning from the synthetic opioid fentanyl, with cases becoming increasingly severe.

The research analyzed nonfatal fentanyl exposures reported to poison control centers across 49 US states from 2015 to 2023, totaling 3,009 documented incidents over the eight-year span.

In the year 2023 alone, 44.6% of these incidents were classified as life-threatening, marking a significant increase from 15.9% in 2015, according to findings published in the peer-reviewed American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Among the victims, 81.7% of children aged 0–12 were unintentionally exposed, while 65.7% of those aged 13–19 reportedly consumed fentanyl for non-medical reasons.

The majority of cases (1,771) occurred in adolescents aged 13–19 (58.9%), compared to 1,238 cases (41.1%) in younger children aged 0-12. Males represented 58.5% (1,754) of total cases, while females accounted for 41.5% (1,244).

Since 2021, over 70,000 deaths related to synthetic opioids have been recorded annually; however, recent provisional data suggests a decline in these fatalities.

The study highlights that peers are a primary source of prescription pills for adolescents, and social media is frequently used to acquire drugs from unfamiliar individuals. Many drugs not obtained from pharmacies may be laced with fentanyl, the research noted.

Driven by a “lack of focus on nonfatal overdose and the impact on pediatric populations,” the research team noted a significant rise in exposures over the eight-year period, with a staggering increase of 924.3% for ages 0-12, and 1,506% for those aged 13-19.

Dr. Joseph Palamar, the lead author from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, emphasized the urgent need for “enhanced prevention, treatment, and harm reduction” efforts.

“It is crucial to recognize that children are also at risk during this opioid crisis. Parents must understand that teens can obtain pills via apps marketed as Adderall or Xanax, which may actually contain fentanyl. Additionally, it is vital for parents and others to securely store fentanyl, whether legal or illegal, away from unsupervised children,” Dr. Palamar advised.