Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage
Accidental methadone intoxication is increasingly recognized as a critical public health concern, particularly in households where opioid medications are accessible. We report accidental poisoning cases involving two young siblings, who presented with severe central nervous system depression, respir...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Journal of Chemical Health Risks
2024
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| Online Access: | http://eprints.usm.my/61239/ http://eprints.usm.my/61239/1/paper_JCHR_2024_08_2549.pdf |
| _version_ | 1848884655657320448 |
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| author | Yusuf, Wan Nazirah Wan Tang, Suk Peng Ismail, Norzila Low, Jen Hou Rawi, Rowani Mohd |
| author_facet | Yusuf, Wan Nazirah Wan Tang, Suk Peng Ismail, Norzila Low, Jen Hou Rawi, Rowani Mohd |
| author_sort | Yusuf, Wan Nazirah Wan |
| building | USM Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Accidental methadone intoxication is increasingly recognized as a critical public health concern, particularly in households where opioid medications are accessible. We report accidental poisoning cases involving two young siblings, who presented with severe central nervous system depression, respiratory compromise, and cardiac depression. Initially they were treated as paracetamol intoxication based on information from their mother. Routine drug screening was negative for both patients. However, it was later confirmed as methadone poisoning. Fortunately following intensive therapy, both siblings recovered well without neurological sequelae. The delayed diagnosis underscores the challenges in detecting methadone poisoning with standard toxicology screens, highlighting the need for specialized testing methods not universally available. This case also emphasizes the critical importance of safe medication storage and heightened awareness among caregivers, healthcare providers, and the community regarding the risks associated with methadone exposure in children, especially in environments where opioid maintenance therapies like Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) are prevalent. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-15T19:10:10Z |
| format | Article |
| id | usm-61239 |
| institution | Universiti Sains Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-15T19:10:10Z |
| publishDate | 2024 |
| publisher | Journal of Chemical Health Risks |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | usm-612392024-10-02T04:58:43Z http://eprints.usm.my/61239/ Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage Yusuf, Wan Nazirah Wan Tang, Suk Peng Ismail, Norzila Low, Jen Hou Rawi, Rowani Mohd RA Public aspects of medicine RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research Accidental methadone intoxication is increasingly recognized as a critical public health concern, particularly in households where opioid medications are accessible. We report accidental poisoning cases involving two young siblings, who presented with severe central nervous system depression, respiratory compromise, and cardiac depression. Initially they were treated as paracetamol intoxication based on information from their mother. Routine drug screening was negative for both patients. However, it was later confirmed as methadone poisoning. Fortunately following intensive therapy, both siblings recovered well without neurological sequelae. The delayed diagnosis underscores the challenges in detecting methadone poisoning with standard toxicology screens, highlighting the need for specialized testing methods not universally available. This case also emphasizes the critical importance of safe medication storage and heightened awareness among caregivers, healthcare providers, and the community regarding the risks associated with methadone exposure in children, especially in environments where opioid maintenance therapies like Methadone Maintenance Therapy (MMT) are prevalent. Journal of Chemical Health Risks 2024-08-10 Article PeerReviewed application/pdf en http://eprints.usm.my/61239/1/paper_JCHR_2024_08_2549.pdf Yusuf, Wan Nazirah Wan and Tang, Suk Peng and Ismail, Norzila and Low, Jen Hou and Rawi, Rowani Mohd (2024) Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage. Journal of Chemical Health Risks, 14 (5). pp. 185-190. ISSN 2251-6727 |
| spellingShingle | RA Public aspects of medicine RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research Yusuf, Wan Nazirah Wan Tang, Suk Peng Ismail, Norzila Low, Jen Hou Rawi, Rowani Mohd Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage |
| title | Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage |
| title_full | Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage |
| title_fullStr | Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage |
| title_full_unstemmed | Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage |
| title_short | Accidental Methadone Intoxication in Young Children: The Urgency of Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Safe Storage |
| title_sort | accidental methadone intoxication in young children: the urgency of early diagnosis, screening, and safe storage |
| topic | RA Public aspects of medicine RA440-440.87 Study and teaching. Research |
| url | http://eprints.usm.my/61239/ http://eprints.usm.my/61239/1/paper_JCHR_2024_08_2549.pdf |