Morning Checkup | Researchers find fentanyl poisonings surge among US children
(WISH) — American researchers looking at nonfatal fentanyl cases found a 924.3% increase in fentanyl poisoning cases among children 12 and younger from 2015 to 2023, and a 1,506.3% increase in teens during the same time period.
Of the cases researched, the percentage of life-threatening fentanyl poisoning cases involving kids increased from 15.9% in 2015 to 44.6% in 2023, a 179.6% increase.
For children 12 and younger, 81.7% of the poisonings were unintentional.
Researchers report that even second-hand exposure to paraphernalia, such as baggies or used patches, can contain small amounts of fentanyl that can be lethal to children.
A research paper published in May in the International Journal of Drug Policy found that for teens 13 to 19 years old, 65.7% of the poisonings were due to intentionally using fentanyl. Some may unknowingly purchase counterfeit pills online or in apps, thinking it is Adderall or Xanax.
Signs and symptoms of fentanyl poisoning
It is important to be aware of signs and symptoms of fentanyl poisoning or overdose: drowsiness, dizziness, changes in pupil size, cold and clammy skin, nausea, vomiting, decreased urination, respiratory failure, and coma.
If there is concern for exposure and the child or teen is medically stable, call a poison control center. Indiana’s poison control center phone number, for calls only, is at 800-222-1222. If a person is unstable, call or text 911.
For people using an opiate such as fentanyl, heroin or prescription opiate for medical treatment or recreational use, keeping Narcan (naloxone) on hand is recommended.
Resources
- From U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration: Spark Conversation and Action Around Preventing Teen Substance Use This National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week
- From GoodRx: Where and How to Get Narcan (Naloxone), the Opioid Overdose Antidote
- From the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lifesaving Naloxone
