Pharmacoepidemiology
Disparities in Hospitalization Rates for Drug Overdose Among Pediatric Underrepresented Populations: An Epidemiological Analysis Aidin Gharavi* Aidin Gharavi Devon Lynn Ali Hamandi Ixchel Salazar Ryan Phan Leticia Rolon
Pediatric drug overdoses are a critical public health concern. Using the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database, cases of children under 5 years old presenting to emergency departments and subsequently hospitalized during 2023 were extracted. Demographic information was compared to population estimates using Census.gov data, and Chi-square tests were utilized to determine significance, with p-values (P) <.05 being significant. The sample of 410 children under 5 years old represents an estimated 8,618 hospitalizations caused by drug poisoning to children under 5 years old in 2023 (95% CI: 4,715 – 12,521). Young children between 12 and 24 months old were the most likely group to present with drug poisoning, accounting for 37.6% of all overdoses, while children 4 years old were the least likely (8.5%). There was no significant difference in the hospitalization rates of males versus females (P: 0.49). Aspirin substitutes (n = 57) and Antihistamines (n=29) were the most common drugs mentioned, while aspirin accounted for 3.2% of hospitalizations. 44.0% of children were from an underrepresented group, defined as being either Hispanic and/or black. When comparing demographic information to 2023 population estimates by Census.gov, children from underrepresented groups were more likely to be hospitalized from drug poisoning (P: <0.001). Our findings indicate that pediatric drug overdoses disproportionately impact children from underrepresented groups. These incidents may arise from improper medication storage or inappropriate administration of medications. Targeted outreach and access to healthcare resources are necessary to reduce pediatric overdoses, especially in underrepresented populations. Public health campaigns should emphasize proper medication storage and dosing guidelines. Partnerships with community organizations and utilizing social media could help spread awareness and medication information.