Pediatric Exposures to Veterinary Pharmaceuticals (1999-2013)

Objective: To describe the epidemiology of veterinary pharmaceutical-related exposures to children based on calls to a regional poison control center.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of pediatric (≤19 years of age) exposures to pharmaceutical products intended for animal use managed by a poison control center from 1999 through 2013 was conducted. Case narratives were reviewed and coded for exposure-related circumstance and intended species. Descriptive statistics were generated.

Results: Of 527,441 cases identified from a key word search, a total of 2,954 met inclusion criteria. Approximately one-half (49%; 1446) of the cases involved children ≤19 years of age, and 43% of all cases involved children ≤5 years of age. Exploratory behavior of children was the most common (61%) exposure-related circumstance. Substances commonly associated with exposures included: veterinary drugs without human equivalent (17%), antimicrobials (14%), anti-parasitics (14%), analgesics (11%), hormones (9%), and anticonvulsants (5%). The most common route of exposure was ingestion (93%). The majority of exposures (90%) were expected to result in no long-term or lasting health effects and were managed at home (94%). A total of 86 cases were referred to a health care facility and seven cases resulted in a moderate or major health effect.

Conclusion: Children ≤5 years of age are most at risk for veterinary pharmaceutical-related exposures. Attention to veterinary product dispensing and home storage practices may reduce these risks.