Pediatric Drug Poisoning Is on the Rise

This type of poisoning is on the rise, but, tragically, you rarely hear about it. Purely unintentional, it can happen in the blink of an eye, when you least expect it.

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

• Between 2001 and 2008, 453,559 children aged 5 or younger were admitted to a health care facility following exposure to a potentially toxic dose of a pharmaceutical drug

• Between 2001 and 2008, unintentional drug poisonings in children aged 5 and younger rose 22%

• Prescription medications were responsible for 71% of serious injuries, with o…