Poison centre data show rise in adolescent self-poisoning since 2020

A retrospective analysis of poison centre data from four European countries examined 1,783,858 cases over six years, of which 177,921 (one in ten) involved deliberate self-poisoning. The study reported that rates were stable from 2017-2020 but increased from 2021-2022, with females accounting for 70% of cases overall and 84% among those aged 5-17 years; in adults, alcohol, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants predominated, while paracetamol and ibuprofen predominated among children/adolescents. The authors state this rise was especially marked among adolescent females using readily available over-the-counter medicines, and note the findings demonstrate the value of coordinated cross-national poison centre data collection.

Most relevant for: Clinicians managing deliberate self-poisoning presentations, particularly among children and adolescents aged 5-17 years.

Summary written by an AI model from the source text and dated by the source's publication date. Check the original before acting on it. How MedFollow selects and summarizes updates.

Informational only. Not medical advice. Not a substitute for clinical judgment. Always consult current guidelines and your own clinical judgment.