ADHD Medication Errors in US Children Skyrocket with Alarming 300% Jump

Experts call for patient and caregiver education and the development of improved dosing and tracking systems that are tolerable in children.

attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. In 2019, nearly 10% of children in the United States were diagnosed with ADHD. Currently, about 3.3 million children in the United States, or about 5 in 100 children, are prescribed her ADHD medication.

Increase in ADHD medication errors

In a new study recently published in the journal Pediatricsresearchers from Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Central Ohio Poison Center, investigated the characteristics and characteristics of out-of-hospital ADHD medication errors reported to U.S. poison centers from 2000 to 2021 in people under age 20. We investigated trends.

According to the study, the annual number of ADHD-related medication errors increased by 299% from 2000 to 2021. During the study period, 87,691 medication error incidents involving ADHD medications as the primary substance in this age group were reported to U.S. poison centers. An average of 3,985 individuals are born per year. In 2021 alone, he was reported for 5,235 medication errors, which equates to 1 child for every 100 minutes he received. The overall trend was that males accounted for 76% of medication errors and the 6-12 year age group accounted for 67% of medication errors. Approximately 93% of exposures occurred in the home.

Common medication error scenarios

Among medication errors involving ADHD medications as the primary substance, the most common scenarios include:

• 54% – “I accidentally took or administered my medication twice.”
• 13% – “I accidentally took or gave someone else’s medication.”
• 13% – “I took/administered the wrong medication.”

“The increase in the number of reported medication errors is consistent with the findings of other studies that have reported an increase in the number of ADHD diagnoses among children in the United States over the past two decades, which reflects the use of ADHD medications. “It is likely associated with an increase in

Health effects and prevention strategies

In 83% of cases, the person was not receiving treatment in a health facility. However, 2.3% of cases were admitted to a health care facility, of which 0.8% were admitted to a critical care unit. Additionally, 4.2% of cases were associated with serious medical outcomes. Some children experienced agitation, tremors, seizures, and changes in mental status. Children under 6 years of age were twice as likely to experience a serious medical outcome and more than three times as likely to be admitted to a health care facility compared to children aged 6 to 19 years.

“Because medication errors in ADHD are preventable, more attention needs to be paid to educating patients and caregivers and developing improved medication and tracking systems that are resistant to children,” said the study’s senior author. said Center Director Gary Smith, MD, PhD. Contributes to injury research and policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “Another strategy could be a move away from pill bottles to unit-dose packaging, such as blister packs, which could help people remember if a drug has already been taken or administered.”

Prevention efforts should focus on the home, but additional attention should also be paid to schools and other settings where children and adolescents spend time or receive medications.

References: “Pediatric ADHD Medication Errors Reported to U.S. Poison Centers from 2000 to 2021” Mikaela M. DeCoster, BS; Henry A. Spiller, MS, D.ABAT; Jaahnavi Badeti, MPH, BDS. Marcel J. Casavant, MD. Natalie I. Rein, Pharm.D., BCPS, BCCCP. Dr. Nicole L. Michaels. Motao Zhu, MD, MS, PhD. Gary A. Smith, MD, PhD, September 18, 2023; Pediatrics.
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-061942

Data for this study were obtained from the National Poison Data System (NPDS) maintained by the American Poison Centers (formerly the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)). Poison Centers receive calls through the National Poison Helpline (1-800-222-1222) and document and report information to NPDS about the product, route of exposure, exposed individuals, exposure scenario, and other data.