Adolescent alcohol intoxication in the Dutch hospital Departments of Pediatrics.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to investigate the number and characteristics of adolescent alcohol intoxication cases in hospital Departments of Pediatrics. The study also analyzes drinking patterns and intoxication characteristics.


METHODS
Data were collected using the Dutch Pediatric Surveillance System, in which about 92% of general pediatricians and 83% of academic pediatricians participate. In 2007, questionnaires were collected every month within 56 hospitals. A total of 297 adolescent alcohol intoxications were reported, of which 231 cases were analyzed.


RESULTS
Hospital-admitted adolescents in this study are 12-18 years old, with an average age of 15.3 years. Intoxicated adolescents appear to be a representative sample of the Dutch population on all background variables (gender, educational level, family structure).


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows the serious nature of adolescent intoxication and may indicate that more strict governmental alcohol control policies are required.
van Hoof
Joris J
JJ
Department of Technical and Professional Communication, Faculty of Behavioral Sciences, Institute for Behavioral Research, University of Twente, AE Enschede, The Netherlands. j.j.vanhoof@utwente.nl
Lely
Nico van der
Nv
Pereira
Rob Rodrigues
RR
van Dalen
Wim E
WE
D000293:Adolescent; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003625:Data Collection; D004522:Educational Status; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires