Recent trends in the burden of alcohol intoxication on pediatric in-patient services in Germany

To elicit data on alcohol intoxications requiring in-patient treatment in children and adolescents in Germany between 2000 and 2002.

An ex-post analysis was performed to assess the number of children and adolescents (age 10-17 years) with acute alcohol intoxications requiring in-patient hospital treatment (> or =24 hours).

22 major children hospitals in Germany.

The number of acute alcohol intoxications requiring in-patient treatment increased from 227 in 2000 to 313 in 2001 (+37.9%; p*<.01) and 350 in 2002 (+10.6%; p*<.05). 10-12 year-old children comprised 2.2%, adolescents aged 13-14 years 28.6%, and adolescents aged 15-17 years 69.2% of the study population. The most significant increase was seen in adolescents aged 13-14 years (2001: +35.9%, and 2002: +19.3%; p*<.05), and 15-17 years (2001: +59.1%, and 2002: +10.1%; p*<.05). The percentage of female patients increased from 34.1% in 2000 to 41.9% in 2001 and 49.8% in 2002 (p*<.05). Mean time spent in the hospital was 1.7 days (range: 1 day-->4 days).

This is one of the very few studies that provide epidemiological data on the specific issue of alcohol intoxications in children and adolescents that require in-patient treatment. Apparently, gender differences seem to play a minor role in alcohol-related hospital admissions. Our data demonstrate that excessive alcohol consumption remains an issue of concern in this age cohort.