Poison Centers Report Rise in Preteen Medication Injuries

Rising teen suicide rates are being driven by depression, social media use and lingering effects of the pandemic, researchers warn.

New data from poison control centers throughout the U.S. raises serious concerns about an increasing number of children who are suffering injuries caused by medication exposures, which appears to be primarily driven by teens attempting suicide and self-harm.

According to a report published in the journal Pediatrics on September 8, the number of self-harm injuries reported to the American Association of Poison Control Centers has increased by more than 300% in the past 20 years.

More than half a million children suffer from medication poisonings each year, according to poison center data from 2015. Three-quarters of poisonings were among young children between the ages of 1 and 4 years, who became sick after accidentally ingesting harmful medications.

Researchers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warn that children often gained access to prescription medications after adults removed the drugs from child-proof bottles or packaging meant to prevent accidental poisonings.

For the new study, researchers from The Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio examined data from the Poison Data System and the U.S. Census Bureau data from 2000 to 2023. The team, led by Dr. Gary A. Smith, included information for more than 1.5 million substance exposures among 6- to 12-year-old children.

According to the findings, drug and medication poisonings increased by 54% from 2000 to 2023. More than 90% of children were exposed to a single substance and most exposures occurred in a home, with more than half involving boys.

While overall, most poisonings led to minor medical consequences, nearly 4% of children were admitted to the hospital and less than 1% had major effects. Overall, the data indicated 95 children died from medication exposures over that time period.

Researchers said only 5% of poisonings were linked to suicide or self-harm. However, among 12-year-olds, suicide attempts or self-harm accounted for 26% of exposures and increased by 311% from 2000 to 2023.

Drug poisonings linked to suicide were more likely to need serious medical attention and require hospitalization. Researchers said the rising rates of attempted suicide after 2008 likely indicate increasing rates of depression and suicidal behavior influenced by a number of factors, including social media and the pandemic.

The data indicated more than half of drug poisonings were linked to five substances. The majority of poisonings, about 15%, involved painkillers. After that, the most common exposures included antihistamines, like Benadryl, cold and cough medications, stimulants and street drugs, and vitamins.

Nearly half of drug poisonings involved therapeutic errors. This includes scenarios involving errors in the use of medications, like incorrect dosing, administering the wrong drug, or other errors, but it can also involve exploratory behaviors by children.

However, one-third of poisonings involving therapeutic errors involved a child who was mistakenly given medication twice by their caregivers. This can happen when two caregivers care for a child and are unsure if the medication was given by the other.

Researchers concluded that the increase in drug poisonings highlights a need for doctors to screen patients for the risk of suicide, provide caregivers counseling on the safe storage of medications, and provide counseling to families on medication dosing errors.

Social Media Addiction Lawsuits

The rise in suicides linked to social media use among preteens and teens has led to a series of social media addiction lawsuits being filed against platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Snapchat for deploying algorithms and design features that exploit compulsive behavior in children, prioritizing user engagement and profit over safety.

Many of the lawsuits claim that these kinds of features have increased anxiety, depression and suicidal behaviors among a generation of American youth.

As a result, social media attorneys are providing free claim evaluations and consultations, usually with no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained in the case.

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