The spectrum of intoxication and poisonings among adolescents: surveillance in an urban population.
OBJECTIVE
Among adolescents, poisoning is a leading cause of injury mortality in the United States. This study describes the epidemiology of poisonings, intoxication, and maladaptive effects of drugs among adolescents age 10-19 years in a large city.


METHODS
An injury surveillance system used records at seven hospitals, medical examiner records, and vital records over a two year period.


RESULTS
Of 633 cases (618 injuries/100 000/year), 6% were unintentional, 36% self-inflicted, 41% alcohol intoxication, and 15% maladaptive effects of drugs. Alcohol was involved in 45% of cases, 23% illegal drugs, 23% non-prescription drugs, 19% prescription drugs; 19% involved more than one substance. Hospitalization was required in 20%; 8% transferred to another hospital; one died from intoxication. The authors found high rates of self-inflicted poisoning, intoxication, and maladaptive effects of drugs among this urban population.


CONCLUSIONS
The study highlights the need to broadly define poisonings among adolescents and the challenge of assessing intent in some cases.
Cheng
T L
TL
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Wright
J L
JL
Pearson-Fields
A S
AS
Brenner
R A
RA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014504:Urban Health