A retrospective analysis of cases of intentional dextromethorphan intoxication in the Department of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology of the Medical University of Lublin between 2008 and 2017

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to retrospectively assess cases of intentional dextromethorphan intoxication which were the reason for admissions to the Department of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology at the Medical University of Lublin between 2008 and 2017. Material and methods: We analysed medical records of patients hospitalised due to intentional dextromethorphan intoxication in the Department of Paediatrics and Gastroenterology at the Medical University of Lublin between 2008 and 2017. Results: Dextromethorphan poisoning was the reason for 55 hospital stays. The number of hospital stays due to dextromethorphan intoxication during subsequent years was as follows: 2008 – 3, 2009 – 4, 2010 – 8, 2011 – 7, 2012 – 7, 2013 – 11, 2014 – 3, 2015 – 9, 2016 – 1, 2017 – none. The analysis included as many as 47 girls (85.4%) and only 8 boys (14.6%). The age of patients ranged between 11 years and 11 months to 16 years and 3 months. There were 47 (85.4%) urban and only 8 (14.6%) rural children. Concusions: The observed drop in the number of deliberate dextromethorphan intoxications from 2016 onwards may be due to the limited availability of the drug resulting from a change in the Polish law. Intentional dextromethorphan intoxications are most common among girls, adolescents aged between 13 and 15 years and urban residents. Family and school education on the harmful effects of psychoactive substances should play a particularly important role in the prevention of psychoactive substance abuse.

Keywords

• dextromethorphan
• intoxication
• children
• adolescents