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Antipyretic Medication Exposures Among Young Children Reported to US Poison Centers, 2000-2015

Sofia Rakowsky1,2, Henry A Spiller3,4, Marcel J Casavant1,3,4

  • 11 Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Clinical Pediatrics
|September 28, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Antipyretic medication exposures in young children are common, with acetaminophen posing a higher risk for serious outcomes than ibuprofen. Prevention strategies are crucial to reduce pediatric morbidity and mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Toxicology
  • Public Health Surveillance
  • Medication Safety

Background:

  • Antipyretic medications are widely used for fever management in children.
  • Accidental exposures and misuse can lead to significant pediatric health issues.
  • Understanding trends and risk factors is vital for effective prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the characteristics and medical outcomes of antipyretic exposures in US children under 6.
  • To compare the risks associated with ibuprofen versus acetaminophen exposures.
  • To identify trends in antipyretic exposures over a 16-year period.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System (NPDS) database.
  • Inclusion of data from US Poison Control Centers from 2000 to 2015.
  • Statistical comparison of medical outcomes between different antipyretic agents.

Main Results:

  • An average of 74,387 annual antipyretic exposures in children under 6 were recorded.
  • Ibuprofen (55.1%) and acetaminophen (40.1%) were the most common agents involved.
  • Acetaminophen-exposed children had nearly double the odds of serious medical outcomes compared to ibuprofen-exposed children.
  • Exposure rates increased from 2000-2009, then decreased from 2009-2015.

Conclusions:

  • Antipyretic exposures remain a significant cause of pediatric morbidity and mortality.
  • Acetaminophen use in children is associated with a higher risk of severe outcomes than ibuprofen.
  • Prevention efforts must target caregiver education, safe storage, and judicious use of antipyretics.

Keywords:
NPDSacetaminophenantipyretic medicationsibuprofenpoison control center

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