Fatal methadone poisoning in children: Maryland 1992-1996.
The prevention of accidental poisoning by prescribed an over-the-counter medication has been successfully addressed by the use of child-resistant containers. Nevertheless. accidental methadone poisoning in children remains a problem. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland has investigated four deaths in children due to methadone poisoning over a 4-year period. Three of the cases occurred within a 3-month period. Two victims accidentally ingested methadone within 3 days of each other. The authors address the continuing danger of methadone poisoning to children and identify factors contributing to this problem.
Li
L
L
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, State of Maryland, Baltimore 21201, USA.
Levine
B
B
Smialek
J E
JE
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008691:Methadone / Q000506:poisoning*; D009294:Narcotics / Q000506:poisoning*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D009294:Narcotics; D008691:Methadone