Volume 36, Issue 2 (6-2025)                   Studies in Medical Sciences 2025, 36(2): 143-151 | Back to browse issues page


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Pashaei yingejeh N, Ghaemi M R, Salehzadeh Nobari M, Mohamadpouri M, ghanipourbadelbuu S. Evaluation of Methadone Poisoning, Clinical Manifestations, and Laboratory Findings in Hospitalized Children at Shahid Motahari Hospital, Urmia, During 2019–2024. Studies in Medical Sciences 2025; 36 (2) :143-151
URL: http://umj.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-6465-en.html
Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia Branch, Islamic Azad University, Urmia, Iran , ghanipourfrnzvsf@gmail.com
Abstract:   (228 Views)
Background Poisoning is one of the common causes of visits to emergency departments. Opioids and methadone are among the leading causes of unintentional poisoning, particularly in children, leading to a high burden of pediatric emergency admissions. This study was conducted to evaluate methadone poisoning, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings.
Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed using a census approach on the medical records of 107 children hospitalized due to methadone poisoning at Shahid Motahari Educational and Medical Center, Urmia, between 2019 and 2024. Data were collected using a checklist including demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, and laboratory findings. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS version 26 through descriptive statistics and frequency distribution (absolute and percentage).
Results The mean age of the patients was 41 ± 52 months, with 62.6% falling within the age range of 13–59 months. A total of 59.8% were presented within less than 12 hours, 57% were boys, 81.3% of poisonings were accidental, and 64.5% were poisoned with methadone syrup. Clinical symptoms included miosis in 72.9%, decreased level of consciousness in 78.5%, seizures in 2.8%, respiratory arrest in 10.3%, intubation in 8.4%, and death in one case (0.9%). Laboratory findings showed metabolic acidosis in 35.5%, anemia in 59.8%, hyperglycemia in 43%, and positive urinary methadone in 71%. Naloxone was administered in 95.7% of patients.
Conclusion Parental education on preventing accidental methadone ingestion, timely referral to medical centers in case of poisoning symptoms, and training provided by addiction treatment centers on safe storage of methadone are effective strategies in reducing methadone poisoning among children.
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: کودکان (عمومی)

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