Medication errors for children with ADHD have increased 300% over the past two decades in the United States

(HealthDay News) – More than 3 million American children take prescription drugs Attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity (ADHD)But new research shows that medication errors in these children have increased nearly 300% over the past two decades.

The increase in ADHD medication errors parallels the increase in ADHD diagnoses, said study co-author Dr. Gary Smith. Nationwide Children’s Hospital Injury Research and Policy Center in Columbus, Ohio.

“Because medication errors are preventable, more attention should be paid to educating patients and caregivers, and developing improved anti-pediatric drug administration and monitoring systems,” Smith suggested. “Another strategy might be to switch from pill bottles to unit-dose containers, which can help remember whether a drug has already been taken or administered.”

About 10% of American children had an ADHD diagnosis in 2019, Smith said, which is one Childhood neurodevelopmental disorders Universal standard.

A study examining errors reported by Poison Control Centers Between years 2000 to 2021It was found that approx 54% In these instances when someone is given or He took the medicine twiceIncidentally.

In about 13% of cases, someone accidentally took or was given someone else’s medication, Smith said, and in another 13% of cases, the wrong medication was taken or given. A large number of these accidents, around 93% took place at home. Two-thirds of the cases involved children between the ages of 6 and 12.

“In 83% of cases, the person was not treated at a health center; however, 2.3% of cases were admitted to a health facility, including 0.8% admission to the intensive care unit,” Smith said. Another 4% of cases were associated with serious medical outcomes, the study found.

For some children, These bugs can cause agitation, tremors, seizures and mental status changes.. Children under the age of 6 experience twice as many serious medical problems as older children. They are three times more likely to be admitted to a health facility.

When there are no bugs in the house, The School May be the next location, 5% of events, 1.6% occurred elsewhere. A total of more than 87,000 medication errors were reported. Children are affected for 76% of the errors. The findings were published in the journal Pediatrics.

Doctor Andrew AdesmanHead of the Division of Pediatrics – Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York CityIt’s important for patients to follow their healthcare provider’s instructions on all medications, but it’s important to watch for errors.

“Certainly, in my practice over the past 35 years, I have had many cases where families have called and said it was a child. Accidentally overdosed. An example is mother giving medicine. Father did not notice. Father gives medicine. Nobody said anything. And there was a situation where the right hand didn’t know what the left hand was doing,” Adesman said. Doubling the dose once, he said, rarely results in serious side effects.

Not everyone reports these incidents to poison control centers, but instead calls the child’s pediatrician or goes to the emergency room or clinic.

And child-friendly drug formulations may have made it possible for a child to take drugs they shouldn’t have, the expert said. “In the old days we only had tablets. Small children do not swallow tablets. Now we have liquids, we have granules, we have chewables,” Adesman said. “Then a child is more likely to inadvertently or otherwise take the medication.”

There are many different approaches to treating ADHD, but medication is considered the most effective treatment.Adesman said, adding: “Time and research have shown that these are very effective treatment approaches. For the vast majority of patients, the benefits outweigh any side effects.”

It is like helping improve communication problems, even if there are occasional errors Record the medication as given Using an app. “If children are asked to take medication at an unusual dose or frequency, patient education around them can be helpful,” Adesman said.

Smith says parents should ask their doctor or pharmacist if they have any questions about their child’s medications or the correct dosage.

“Keep track of what medications your child is taking, what medications, how much, and how often“, she suggested. “A simple sheet of paper or an app next to medications can help, especially if multiple caregivers are responsible for administering medications or if a teen is starting to take their own medications.”

Clinicians should consider using feedback techniques to ensure understanding, he said. School personnel must follow the medication instructions specified in the attached forms.

The study recommends research and development of improved systems for dispensing and monitoring drugs that protect children.

“This study only looked at medications for ADHD; however, patient and caregiver education and the development of improved child-resistant medication dispensing and monitoring systems could have a positive impact on medication safety for other medications administered to children,” Smith said.

More information: The US National Institutes of Health has more about ADHD.

Sources: Gary Smith, MD, DrPH, director, Center for Injury Research and Policy, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus, Ohio; Andrew Adesman, MD, chief, Division of Pediatrics-Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New York; Pediatrics, September 18, 2023, online.

* Kara Mures. Health Day Correspondents. Healthe Spanish. © The New York Times 2023