Frequency and Related Factors of Methadone Poisoning in Children Aged under 15 Years Attending Children Emergency Center of Rafsanjan Ali-Ebne-Abitaleb Hospital In 2013

Increased methadone prescription in narcotics withdrawal protocols in recent years resulted in a high number of accidental methadone poisoning, especially in children. The aim of the study was to determine the frequency of methadone poisoning and its probable causes in children aged less than 15 years. In this cross-sectional study, 97 children with methadone poisoning admitted to emergency medical services of Ali-Ebne-Abitaleb hospital in Rafsanjan were investigated. Data were collected through medical examination and interview and analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical methods including correlation coefficient, Chi-Square and comparison of means tests. Out of total 97 poisoned children, 57 (58.8%) and 40 (41.2%) cases were male and female, respectively. 7 (7.2%) of these children, 67 (69.1%) children's fathers and 16 (16.5%) of the children's mothers were opiate-dependent. Seventy-one (73%) cases had been poisoned accidentally. Average time interval to referring to hospital was 3.14±2.24 hours and average used naloxone was 16.3±12.7 ampoules. The maximum amount of referring was observed in autumn season and afternoon shifts. Twenty (20.6%) and 53 (54.6%) poisoned children had severe and moderate risk signs, respectively, and 24 (24.7%) cases were asymptomatic. The frequency and severity of methadone poisoning had a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with variables including child addiction, child's birth rank, mother addiction, mother age, mother educational level, and family economic status. Season, mother conditions, children addiction and birth rank, family economic status and habitat are the most important factors in the incidence of methadone poisoning.