OC-66 A new problem in paediatric emergency units in turkey, substance abuse

Abstract

Background and aims Substance abuse is an important public health problem. Adolescent age group is at high risk for substance abuse. Besides, adolescent age group is the most overlooked age group for substance abuse. Prevalence of substance abuse is increasing while the age of addicted population is decreasing in recent years. Addicted adolescents usually admit to paediatric emergency units with various complaints. In this study our aim was to analyse demographic, clinical and laboratory findings of cases admitted to our paediatric emergency unit with history of substance abuse and/or cases with traces of addictive substance in the urine tests. Methods A retrospective analysis of cases admitted to our paediatric emergency unit with history of substance abuse and/or cases with traces of addictive substance in the urine tests, between April 2015 and August 2016 were performed. Cases evaluated regarding age, gender, admission date and complaints, clinical findings, laboratory findings, the method of substance abuse, additional substance use, hospitalisation and mortality. Results There were 2 (11,7%) girls and 15 (88,3%) boys. One case was 1-year-old baby which was brought to our unit with complaints started just after chewing a green weed at home. There were 4 cases with history of Bonzai use only, one case used Bonzai with Marijuana, one case with combined use of Bonzai, Marijuana and Ecstasy, one case Bonzai with cigarettes and alcohol and one case used bonsai with an unknown substance. Two cases with negative anamnesis, confessed Bonzai use after positive urine tests for cannabinoid use. Most common complaints were cognitive symptoms such as, confusion, tendency to sleep and unconsciousness. The most common findings were confusion and tachycardia. The most common laboratory finding was elevation in CK-MB values (53%). Most common method of substance use was inhalation. The most common substances found in both screening and validation urine tests were synthetic cannabinoids. Ecstacy, Morphine and Marijuana were other substances which found in the urine. Conclusions Substance abuse popularising among adolescents. Bonzai is the most easily found addictive substance. Adolescents with substance abuse may hide their use from the physicians. The signs and symptoms may be of wide range and may involve various systems.