Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions

Oliver Nørholm Kempf; Thora Wesenberg Helt; Klaus Birkelund Johansen; Charlotte Rittig; Louise Lundby-Christensen; Marianne Sjølin Frederiksen; Pernille Mathiesen; Malene Boas; Preben Berg Nielsen; Annie Ellermann; Klaus Børch; Jens Jakob Petersen; Thomas Houmann Petersen; Cæcilie Trier Sønderskov; Jesper Andersen; Rasmus Gaardskær Nielsen; Eva Mosfeldt Jeppesen; Vibeke Brix Christensen

doi:10.61409/A08230494

Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions

Oliver Nørholm Kempf, Thora Wesenberg Helt, Klaus Birkelund Johansen, Charlotte Rittig, Louise Lundby-Christensen, Marianne Sjølin Frederiksen, Pernille Mathiesen, Malene Boas, Preben Berg Nielsen, Annie Ellermann, Klaus Børch, Jens Jakob Petersen, Thomas Houmann Petersen, Cæcilie Trier Sønderskov, Jesper Andersen, Rasmus Gaardskær Nielsen, Eva Mosfeldt Jeppesen, Vibeke Brix Christensen

Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of long-term isolation on the mental state of Danish youth. This study aimed to investigate trends in paracetamol overdoses among people under 18 years of age in Denmark during Covid-19 restrictions as an indicator of mental health.

METHODS: All patients under the age of 18 years presenting with paracetamol overdose at one of the 18 paediatric departments in Denmark from 2016 to 2021 were included. They were identified in all Danish hospital databases using specific diagnostic codes.

RESULTS: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 3,217 people under 18 years of age were admitted for paracetamol overdose. Among these, 86% (n = 2,755) were girls and 14% (n = 462) were boys. During 2020, a slight (7%) decrease in admissions was observed among both boys and girls compared with the preceding four-year mean value. In 2021, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded by 35% the former all-time high from 2016. Furthermore, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded the pre-four-year period mean value by 43%. Among boys, an 8% increase was seen from the highest ever previous value recorded in 2019 and a 23% increase compared with the previous four-year mean value.

CONCLUSIONS: During the first year of restrictions, a slight decrease in paracetamol overdoses was observed, possibly associated with limited accessibility. The second year showed a considerable increase in paracetamol overdoses, which may imply an affected mental state among youth during the prolonged lockdown restrictions as seen in previous epidemics. Therefore, further studies are warranted to develop a pandemic preparedness plan to protect general mental health.

FUNDING: None.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.

Original language	English
Article number	A08230494
Journal	Danish Medical Journal
Volume	71
Issue number	5
Number of pages	7
ISSN	2245-1919
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.61409/A08230494
Publication status	Published - 16. Apr 2024

Keywords

Humans
Drug Overdose/epidemiology
COVID-19/epidemiology
Acetaminophen/poisoning
Adolescent
Female
Denmark/epidemiology
Male
Child
Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/poisoning
Child, Preschool
SARS-CoV-2
Infant

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10.61409/A08230494Licence: CC BY-NC-ND

Open Access VersionFinal published version, 127 KBLicence: CC BY-NC-ND

Cite this

Kempf, O. N., Helt, T. W., Johansen, K. B., Rittig, C., Lundby-Christensen, L., Frederiksen, M. S., Mathiesen, P., Boas, M., Nielsen, P. B., Ellermann, A., Børch, K., Petersen, J. J., Petersen, T. H., Sønderskov, C. T., Andersen, J., Nielsen, R. G., Jeppesen, E. M., & Christensen, V. B. (2024). Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions. Danish Medical Journal, 71(5), Article A08230494. https://doi.org/10.61409/A08230494

@article{ffed2b7068be4b248c2f8c9e5aaa13c1,

title = "Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions",

abstract = "INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of long-term isolation on the mental state of Danish youth. This study aimed to investigate trends in paracetamol overdoses among people under 18 years of age in Denmark during Covid-19 restrictions as an indicator of mental health.METHODS: All patients under the age of 18 years presenting with paracetamol overdose at one of the 18 paediatric departments in Denmark from 2016 to 2021 were included. They were identified in all Danish hospital databases using specific diagnostic codes.RESULTS: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 3,217 people under 18 years of age were admitted for paracetamol overdose. Among these, 86% (n = 2,755) were girls and 14% (n = 462) were boys. During 2020, a slight (7%) decrease in admissions was observed among both boys and girls compared with the preceding four-year mean value. In 2021, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded by 35% the former all-time high from 2016. Furthermore, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded the pre-four-year period mean value by 43%. Among boys, an 8% increase was seen from the highest ever previous value recorded in 2019 and a 23% increase compared with the previous four-year mean value.CONCLUSIONS: During the first year of restrictions, a slight decrease in paracetamol overdoses was observed, possibly associated with limited accessibility. The second year showed a considerable increase in paracetamol overdoses, which may imply an affected mental state among youth during the prolonged lockdown restrictions as seen in previous epidemics. Therefore, further studies are warranted to develop a pandemic preparedness plan to protect general mental health.FUNDING: None.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.",

keywords = "Humans, Drug Overdose/epidemiology, COVID-19/epidemiology, Acetaminophen/poisoning, Adolescent, Female, Denmark/epidemiology, Male, Child, Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/poisoning, Child, Preschool, SARS-CoV-2, Infant",

author = "Kempf, {Oliver N{\o}rholm} and Helt, {Thora Wesenberg} and Johansen, {Klaus Birkelund} and Charlotte Rittig and Louise Lundby-Christensen and Frederiksen, {Marianne Sj{\o}lin} and Pernille Mathiesen and Malene Boas and Nielsen, {Preben Berg} and Annie Ellermann and Klaus B{\o}rch and Petersen, {Jens Jakob} and Petersen, {Thomas Houmann} and S{\o}nderskov, {C{\ae}cilie Trier} and Jesper Andersen and Nielsen, {Rasmus Gaardsk{\ae}r} and Jeppesen, {Eva Mosfeldt} and Christensen, {Vibeke Brix}",

year = "2024",

month = apr,

day = "16",

doi = "10.61409/A08230494",

language = "English",

volume = "71",

journal = "Danish Medical Journal",

issn = "2245-1919",

publisher = "Danish Medical Association",

number = "5",

}

Kempf, ON, Helt, TW, Johansen, KB, Rittig, C, Lundby-Christensen, L, Frederiksen, MS, Mathiesen, P, Boas, M, Nielsen, PB, Ellermann, A, Børch, K, Petersen, JJ, Petersen, TH, Sønderskov, CT, Andersen, J, Nielsen, RG, Jeppesen, EM & Christensen, VB 2024, 'Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions', Danish Medical Journal, vol. 71, no. 5, A08230494. https://doi.org/10.61409/A08230494

TY - JOUR

T1 - Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions

AU - Kempf, Oliver Nørholm

AU - Helt, Thora Wesenberg

AU - Johansen, Klaus Birkelund

AU - Rittig, Charlotte

AU - Lundby-Christensen, Louise

AU - Frederiksen, Marianne Sjølin

AU - Mathiesen, Pernille

AU - Boas, Malene

AU - Nielsen, Preben Berg

AU - Ellermann, Annie

AU - Børch, Klaus

AU - Petersen, Jens Jakob

AU - Petersen, Thomas Houmann

AU - Sønderskov, Cæcilie Trier

AU - Andersen, Jesper

AU - Nielsen, Rasmus Gaardskær

AU - Jeppesen, Eva Mosfeldt

AU - Christensen, Vibeke Brix

PY - 2024/4/16

Y1 - 2024/4/16

N2 - INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of long-term isolation on the mental state of Danish youth. This study aimed to investigate trends in paracetamol overdoses among people under 18 years of age in Denmark during Covid-19 restrictions as an indicator of mental health.METHODS: All patients under the age of 18 years presenting with paracetamol overdose at one of the 18 paediatric departments in Denmark from 2016 to 2021 were included. They were identified in all Danish hospital databases using specific diagnostic codes.RESULTS: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 3,217 people under 18 years of age were admitted for paracetamol overdose. Among these, 86% (n = 2,755) were girls and 14% (n = 462) were boys. During 2020, a slight (7%) decrease in admissions was observed among both boys and girls compared with the preceding four-year mean value. In 2021, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded by 35% the former all-time high from 2016. Furthermore, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded the pre-four-year period mean value by 43%. Among boys, an 8% increase was seen from the highest ever previous value recorded in 2019 and a 23% increase compared with the previous four-year mean value.CONCLUSIONS: During the first year of restrictions, a slight decrease in paracetamol overdoses was observed, possibly associated with limited accessibility. The second year showed a considerable increase in paracetamol overdoses, which may imply an affected mental state among youth during the prolonged lockdown restrictions as seen in previous epidemics. Therefore, further studies are warranted to develop a pandemic preparedness plan to protect general mental health.FUNDING: None.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.

AB - INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of long-term isolation on the mental state of Danish youth. This study aimed to investigate trends in paracetamol overdoses among people under 18 years of age in Denmark during Covid-19 restrictions as an indicator of mental health.METHODS: All patients under the age of 18 years presenting with paracetamol overdose at one of the 18 paediatric departments in Denmark from 2016 to 2021 were included. They were identified in all Danish hospital databases using specific diagnostic codes.RESULTS: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 3,217 people under 18 years of age were admitted for paracetamol overdose. Among these, 86% (n = 2,755) were girls and 14% (n = 462) were boys. During 2020, a slight (7%) decrease in admissions was observed among both boys and girls compared with the preceding four-year mean value. In 2021, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded by 35% the former all-time high from 2016. Furthermore, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded the pre-four-year period mean value by 43%. Among boys, an 8% increase was seen from the highest ever previous value recorded in 2019 and a 23% increase compared with the previous four-year mean value.CONCLUSIONS: During the first year of restrictions, a slight decrease in paracetamol overdoses was observed, possibly associated with limited accessibility. The second year showed a considerable increase in paracetamol overdoses, which may imply an affected mental state among youth during the prolonged lockdown restrictions as seen in previous epidemics. Therefore, further studies are warranted to develop a pandemic preparedness plan to protect general mental health.FUNDING: None.TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.

KW - Humans

KW - Drug Overdose/epidemiology

KW - COVID-19/epidemiology

KW - Acetaminophen/poisoning

KW - Adolescent

KW - Female

KW - Denmark/epidemiology

KW - Male

KW - Child

KW - Analgesics, Non-Narcotic/poisoning

KW - Child, Preschool

KW - SARS-CoV-2

KW - Infant

U2 - 10.61409/A08230494

DO - 10.61409/A08230494

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 38704838

SN - 2245-1919

VL - 71

JO - Danish Medical Journal

JF - Danish Medical Journal

IS - 5

M1 - A08230494

ER -

Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions

Abstract

Keywords

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