1. Edible Cannabis: A Growing Risk With the legalization of cannabis in many states, the availability of edible cannabis products has skyrocketed. These products—often packaged like everyday snacks such as candies, chocolates, or baked goods—are highly attractive to children. From 2017 to 2021, pediatric exposures to THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) in children under six increased by a staggering 1,375%. These edible products not only look like regular treats but also contain multiple doses of THC, posing a severe toxicity risk for children who metabolize it slower than adults. The rising availability of these products, combined with inadequate safe storage practices, means that pediatric THC ingestions are becoming a more frequent and severe issue.
2. The Prescription Drug Epidemic: Opioids and Beyond Prescription medications are now a leading cause of pediatric poisonings, especially as rates of polypharmacy (the use of multiple medications) increase. Opioid prescriptions, in particular, have been linked to a surge in pediatric overdoses, with children unintentionally ingesting medications prescribed to adults in the household. Even medications intended to treat common conditions, such as beta-blockers for hypertension or hypoglycemic agents for diabetes, are a growing threat. These medications, when consumed by young children, can lead to life-threatening events in small doses such as respiratory depression or severe hypoglycemia. The rise in prescription drug use in households has brought about a significant increase in pediatric ingestion cases.
3. Household Chemicals and Hidden Hazards While medications often take center stage in discussions about poison prevention, household chemicals remain a dangerous, and often overlooked, threat. Cleaning products, like bleach or detergents, are frequently stored in non-original or unmarked containers and left easily accessible, increasing the likelihood of unintentional ingestion. One striking case involved a child drinking bleach that had been placed in a ginger ale bottle. These hazardous items are often kept in common areas such as the kitchen or bathroom, where children can easily find them. In addition to better storage, increased parental awareness of these dangers is essential to reducing the risk of toxic exposures at home.
Take Home Message: In a world with increasing access to both prescription medications and emerging products like edible cannabis, it’s more important than ever to focus on pediatric poison prevention strategies. With the abundance of threats in and around the home, raising awareness by providing educational and practical resources in the ambulatory and inpatient settings is a critical first step to improve caregiver understanding and promote safe storage practices. Together, we can change these growing numbers and keep children safe from unintentional poisonings.
Note: This post is based on a presentation given by Dr. Elise Perlman at the Annual Pediatric Emergency Medicine Symposium held by Cohen Children’s Medical Center. For more information about attending future symposiums, please email Dr. Josh Rocker at jrocker@northwell.edu
Dr. Elise Perlman, MD, is a Pediatric Emergency Medicine physician at Cohen Children’s Medical Center. She can be reached at eperlman1@northwell.edu.
