Symptoms, Consequences, and Action Across of Methadone Poisoning in Children Referred to a Hospital in the South of Iran

The aim of this study is to investigate the consequences of children with methadone poisoning referred to the emergency department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Jiroft in 2020. Methadone poisoning in children is one of the major public health problems and one of the most common causes of emergency room visits.

This research is a case series study. The study population included all children under 15 years old. Data were collected through interviews with the child's parents or companions, as well as a medical examination of poisoned children in the hospital, and by reviewing the records of past patients and recorded in the data registration form. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21.

Of the 90 children surveyed, 66.7% were in the age range of 2 months to 3 years, the mean age of the children was 2.49 ± 0.89 years old, and 51.1% of patients with poisoning in the morning and autumn were the highest number of patients. Education level of parents, 50% of men and 38% of women were illiterate. 76.7% had taken 1 to 5 mg of methadone. The most common side effect of methadone poisoning was vomiting (41.1%).

Incidental use of methadone in children is very high so that families and surroundings, doctors, and health personnel have sufficient knowledge of the most dangerous complications of methadone and proper maintenance, keeping this dangerous substance from the reach of children should be trained to parents.