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New Psychoactive Substances in Pediatric Patients
Brandon J Warrick1, Anita Paula Tataru2, Roy Gerona3
1University of New Mexico, NMPDIC MSC07 4390, 1 University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87107-0001, USA.
Pediatric Clinics of North America
|November 28, 2017
Summary
New psychoactive substances (NPS) are increasingly popular among children, causing severe health issues and deaths. Clinical signs vary, but often include agitation or coma, depending on the drug type.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Pediatrics
- Pharmacology
Background:
- New psychoactive substances (NPS) are rapidly evolving, with hundreds of new compounds emerging.
- Cannabinoids, cathinones, and opioids are NPS increasingly used by school-age children.
- Limited human data exists for most novel NPS, posing significant health risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the clinical presentations and toxicology of NPS in school-age children.
- To highlight the emerging threat of NPS to pediatric public health.
- To inform healthcare providers about recognizing and managing NPS intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of clinical case reports and toxicology studies on NPS in pediatric populations.
- Analysis of clinical manifestations associated with different classes of NPS.
- Summary of known toxidromes related to NPS ingestion.
Main Results:
- NPS use in children leads to significant morbidity and mortality worldwide.
- Cannabinoid and cathinone NPS often cause a sympathomimetic toxidrome (agitation, delirium, tachycardia).
- Opioid NPS typically present with a classic opioid toxidrome (coma, respiratory failure, miosis).
Conclusions:
- NPS represent a critical and growing challenge in pediatric toxicology.
- Early recognition of specific toxidromes is crucial for timely and appropriate management.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term effects and develop targeted interventions for NPS-related poisonings.
Keywords:
AdolescentCannabinoidCathinoneDesigner drugFentanyl analogueIllicit drug analoguePediatricSynthetic opioidMore Related Videos
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