[Accidental cannabis poisoning in children: experience of the Marseille poison center].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the frequency and severity of accidental cannabis poisoning in children.


METHODS
A retrospective study of cases of accidental cannabis poisoning in people aged under 18 years old, reported to the Marseille poison center from 1993 through 2007. We excluded cases where cannabis was definitively ruled out, and neonatal withdrawal syndromes in newborns from cannabis users.


RESULTS
We collected 93 cases, including 56 boys and 37 girls, 86% of whom were younger than 3 years. The principal form was cannabis resin (hashish), reported in 80% of the cases and belonging to one of the parents or a household member. In almost all cases, the poisoning took place at the child's home. The frequency has risen in recent years, with 2/3 of the cases occurred in the second half of the study period. Five serious cases were reported, two with convulsions.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the observed increase in cases each year, mostly benign but potentially serious, prevention and information efforts have to be improved for drug users with young children and for healthcare professionals led to manage this kind of accident.
Spadari
Michel
M
Centre d'évaluation et d'information sur la pharmacodépendance, Centre antipoison, Service de pharmacologie clinique (Pr Bruguerolle) CHU Marseille, F-13009 Marseille, France. michel.spadari@ap-hm.fr
Glaizal
Mathieu
M
Tichadou
Lucia
L
Blanc
Ingrid
I
Drouet
Geneviève
G
Aymard
Isabelle
I
De Haro
Luc
L
Hayek-Lanthois
Maryvonne
M
Arditti
Jocelyne
J
D002188:Cannabis / Q000506:poisoning*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D011041:Poisoning / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index