Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 30, 2026

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry
11:14

Rapid High-throughput Species Identification of Botanical Material Using Direct Analysis in Real Time High Resolution Mass Spectrometry

Published on: October 2, 2016

Opium as a fatal substance

Sima Besharat1, Ali Jabbari, Mahsa Besharat

  • 1Golestan Research Center of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran. s_besharat_gp@ yahoo.com

Indian Journal of Pediatrics
|September 24, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Opium poisoning in children under five is a serious risk, particularly in Golestan province, Iran. Unrestricted use by parents for common ailments led to severe outcomes, including four deaths, highlighting the urgent need for public education.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Opium use for symptomatic therapy in young children is prevalent in Golestan province, Iran.
  • Pediatric poisoning poses significant health risks, with opium being a notable concern in the region.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the incidence and outcomes of opium toxicity in children under five years old.
  • To identify risk factors associated with opium poisoning in pediatric patients.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted.
  • Data was collected from 67 opium-intoxicated children referred to pediatric centers.
  • Statistical analysis included Chi-square and Fisher exact tests.

Main Results:

  • The study included 67 children aged 6 days to 5 years.
  • Opium was administered primarily by uneducated mothers from low socio-economic backgrounds.
  • Four deaths were recorded among the affected children.

Conclusions:

  • Opioids, especially in children under five, are dangerous and can lead to severe outcomes like respiratory depression, coma, and death.
  • The unrestricted use of opium contributes to pediatric mortality.
  • Educational programs are essential to curb this practice and reduce child mortality.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Fentanyl Analog Screening using LC-TIMS-TOF MS/MS10:13

Fentanyl Analog Screening using LC-TIMS-TOF MS/MS

Published on: November 8, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners01:20

Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners

Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids01:15

Opioid Analgesics: Synthetic and Semisynthetic Opioids

Synthetic and semisynthetic opioids are pivotal in pain management and tackling opioid addiction. Semisynthetic opioids, including morphinans (morphine derivatives), oxycodone, oxymorphone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone, have improved pharmacokinetic profiles compared to morphine. Additionally, heroin and 6-MAM (6-Monoacetylmorphine) show better CNS penetration than morphine due to heightened lipid solubility. Hydromorphone, a potent opioid, undergoes hepatic metabolism to form the active...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
Analgesia and Pain Management01:25

Analgesia and Pain Management

Pain is critical to various clinical pathologies, provoking an urgent need for effective management. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is a complex neurochemical process. Its alleviation depends on the type, with nonopioid analgesics effective for mild to moderate pain, such as musculoskeletal or inflammatory pain, while neuropathic pain responds best to anticonvulsants, tricyclic antidepressants, or serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors. For severe acute or chronic pain, opioids may be...
Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents01:17

Drugs Affecting GI Tract Motility: Opioids as Antidiarrheal Agents

Diarrhea, a condition marked by frequent loose or watery bowel movements, can be triggered by multiple factors such as viral or bacterial infections, food intolerances, anxiety, medications, and digestive disorders. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and cramping. Severe or prolonged diarrhea can lead to complications like electrolyte imbalances, malnutrition, and dehydration if left untreated.
Opioids, widely used antidiarrheal agents, mitigate diarrhea by slowing down...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...