Pediatric Exposures to Veterinary Pharmaceuticals.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the epidemiology of veterinary pharmaceutical-related exposures to children based on calls to a regional poison control center.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of pediatric (≤19 years of age) exposures to pharmaceutical products intended for animal use, managed by a regional poison control center from 1999 through 2013, was conducted. Case narratives were reviewed and coded for exposure-related circumstances and intended species. Descriptive statistics were generated.


RESULTS
From 1999 through 2013, the Central Ohio Poison Center received 1431 calls that related to a veterinary pharmaceutical exposure for children ≤19 years of age. Most of the pediatric calls (87.6%) involved children ≤5 years of age. Exploratory behavior was the most common exposure-related circumstance (61.4%) and ingestion accounted for the exposure route in 93% of cases. Substances commonly associated with exposures included: veterinary drugs without human equivalent (17.3%), antimicrobial agents (14.8%), and antiparasitics (14.6%). Based on substance and quantity, the majority of exposures (96.9%) were not expected to result in long-term or lasting health effects and were managed at home (94.1%). A total of 80 cases (5.6%) were referred to a health care facility, and 2 cases resulted in a moderate health effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Children ≤5 years of age are most at risk for veterinary pharmaceutical-related exposures. Although most exposures do not result in a serious medical outcome, efforts to increase public awareness, appropriate product dispensing procedures, and attention to home storage practices may reduce the risk of veterinary pharmaceutical exposures to young children.
Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute, and.|Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Suzanne
S
Tomasi
Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute, and kristin.roberts@nationwidechildrens.org.
Kristin J
KJ
Roberts
Department of Veterinary Preventive Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine.
Jason
J
Stull
Central Ohio Poison Center, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; and.
Henry A
HA
Spiller
Center for Injury Research and Policy, The Research Institute, and.|Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, and.|Division of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Lara B
LB
McKenzie
D000061:Accidents, Home / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D000700:Analgesics / Q000506:poisoning; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000506:poisoning; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005106:Exploratory Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011039:Poison Control Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019155:Veterinary Drugs / Q000506:poisoning*; D055815:Young Adult
D000700:Analgesics; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D019155:Veterinary Drugs