South Middlesex Times

A recent study by Rutgers Health has identified various sources of opioid poisoning among young children, including pet medications and grandparents' pill organizers. The research, conducted by the New Jersey Poison Control Center, examined 230 cases of opioid exposure in children aged 1 month to 6 years over five years. The findings were published in the Journal of Pediatrics.

"We're seeing this in our clinical practice," said Diane Calello, medical director of the poison control center and senior author of the study. "I've seen too many kids in my practice at University Hospital who have gotten severely poisoned because they got opioids in their house."

The study revealed that 97 percent of exposures were unintentional, with more than 91 percent occurring at home. Additionally, 84.3 percent resulted in hospitalization. While parental medications were often involved, other sources such as grandparents' medications (17.4 percent) and pet medications (4.3 percent) also posed significant risks.

Children under the age of two accounted for 80 percent of all exposures due to their exploratory behavior and inability to differentiate between safe and dangerous substances.

The data was collected from reports to the New Jersey Poison Control Center between January 2018 and December 2022. Researchers focused on single opioid exposures among young children, uncovering instances where children accessed used fentanyl patches, illicit drug paraphernalia, and even opioid residue on discarded items like tissue paper.

Calello emphasized the importance of proper medication storage and disposal: "One opioid pill could actually kill a 2-year-old," she said. She also highlighted the need for comprehensive education about opioid dangers that includes grandparents and others who might bring medications into homes with children.

Calello suggested increasing access to naloxone for parents and caregivers as a potential solution: "I've seen several cases of young children where I thought that if this mom or dad had naloxone with them, they could have given it, and this child may have had a better outcome."

The research team plans to publish nationwide data on pediatric exposure to opioids soon, showing an increase in exposures to illicit opioids and addiction treatment medications. Calello hopes future studies will explore the effects of distributing naloxone more widely among parents.

"That would be a good next step," she said. "It could make a big difference."