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Poisoning due to medication dosing errors in Spain
Johanna Ramírez-Romero1, Claudia Cifuentes1, Beatriz Azkunaga1
1Servicio de Urgencias de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario de Cruces, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Biocruces Bizkaia, Universidad del País Vasco, UPV/EHU, Barakaldo, Bizkaia, Spain.
Anales De Pediatria
|June 18, 2025
Summary
Medication dosing errors are a significant cause of childhood poisoning, particularly in infants under one year. These errors frequently occur at home and require emergency department interventions, highlighting the need for family education on safe medication practices.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
- Public Health
Background:
- Medication dosing errors are a frequent cause of childhood poisoning.
- Pediatric emergency departments (EDs) manage numerous cases resulting from these errors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and management of poisoning due to medication dosing errors in Spanish pediatric EDs.
- To identify high-risk age groups and common medications involved in pediatric poisoning from dosing errors.
Main Methods:
- Prospective registry of poisonings across 58 Spanish EDs from 2008-2023.
- Data collected by the Toxicology Surveillance Observatory of the Spanish Society of Paediatric Emergency Medicine (SEUP).
Main Results:
- 289 medication dosing errors (8.4% of 3429 exposures) were documented, mostly in home settings.
- Infants under 1 year were disproportionately affected (37.9% of poisonings in this age group).
- Antipyretics/analgesics, primarily paracetamol, were the most common culprits; all outcomes were favorable.
Conclusions:
- Medication dosing errors are a critical cause of pediatric poisoning, especially in infants.
- These errors necessitate significant ED interventions, underscoring the need for targeted preventive strategies.
- Educating families on safe medication administration is crucial to reduce poisoning incidents.
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