Pattern of Pediatric Zolpidem Ingestions Reported to Texas Poison Control Centers, 2000 to 2006

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of zolpidem ingestions by young children reported to poison control centers. Cases were all zolpidem ingestions by children 0 to 5 year old reported to Texas poison control centers during 2000 to 2006. Multiple substance ingestions were excluded. The distribution of cases was described with respect to such demographic and clinical factors as patient gender, ingestion reason, ingestion site, management site, and medical outcome. There were a total of 463 cases, all unintentional exposures. The patient was male in 52.2% of the cases, and the exposure occurred at the patient's own home in 92.8% of the cases. The patient was managed on-site in 54.4% cases, already at or en route to a health care facility in 29.6% cases, and referred to a health care facility in 16.0% cases. Of the 322 cases with a known final medical outcome, 59.0% had no effect, 35.1% had minor effects, and 5.9% had moderate effects. Pediatric ingestions of zolpidem alone reported to Texas poison control centers most frequently resulted in at most minor effects and were often managed at home.