Trends of prescription psychotropic medication exposures in pediatric patients, 2009-2018

Overview of Toxic Ingestions in Adolescents

There has been an overall increase in the number of suspected suicide attempts by self-poisoning among the adolescent population. Incidences of self-poisoning have increased since the coronavirus 2019 pandemic, particularly among patients age 10 to 19 years. Common agents used in self-poisoning include over-the-counter and prescription medications. It is crucial to identify adolescent patients with risk factors and provide appropriate resources to reduce the likelihood of intentional toxic ingestion. This article aims to summarize the current state of intentional toxic ingestions by adolescents, provide an overview of the most common agents implicated in self-poisoning, and discuss the best practices in screening patients. [Pediatr Ann. 2024;53(9):e330-e336.].

Potential oxidative stress related targets of mitochondria-focused therapy of PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a highly prevalent, under-diagnosed, and under-treated psychiatric disorder that often deteriorates over time, and is highly comorbid with major depressive disorder, suicidality, and substance use disorder. Several biomarkers have been proposed but have yet to be implemented into clinical practice. Treatments, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, are efficacious in only a small number of patients, which underscores the need to develop novel, efficient treatments. Mitochondrial dysfunction resulting from chronic oxidative stress has been linked with both altered neurotransmitter signaling and the inflammatory response. Hereinafter, we discuss mechanisms by which mitochondrial dysfunction may contribute to the development of PTSD symptoms, and how these may even increase PTSD susceptibility. We also highlight possible therapeutic targets to reduce oxidative stress to prevent or treat PTSD symptoms.

Antidepressant effects of coumarins and their derivatives: A critical analysis of research advances

Coumarins and their derivatives are non-flavonoids polyphenols with diverse pharmacological activities including anti-depressant effects. This study systematically examines the antidepressant effects of coumarins and their derivatives in relation to time series of research progress in the pharmacological pathways, association with other diseases, toxicity and bibliometric analysis. The review was approached using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) coupled with R package involving Biblioshiny, a web interface for Bibliometrix analysis and VOSviewer software analytic tools. Literature searches were conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed from the inception through January 21, 2023. Coumarins, depression, coumarin derivatives and treatment were the main search terms used which resulted in the inclusion of 46 eligible publications. Scopoletin, psoralen, 7-hydroxycoumarin, meranzin hydrate, osthole, esculetin/umbelliferone were the most studied coumarins with antidepressant effects. Coumarins and their derivatives exerted antidepressant effects with a stronger affinity for monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibition and, their inhibitory effect via neurotransmitter pathway on MAO is well-studied. However, epigenetic modification, neuroendocrine, neurotrophic pathways are understudied. Recent research focuses on their antidepressant effects which targeted cytokines and fibromyalgia. There is a link between the gut microbiome, the brain, and depression; meranzin hydrate exerts an antidepressant activity by remodelling the gastrointestinal system. We established that empirical data on some coumarins and their derivatives to support their antidepressant effects are limited. Likewise, the safe dose range for several coumarins and their derivatives is yet to be fully determined.

Unintentional Pediatric Lithium Exposure: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis

OBJECTIVES

Lithium is an uncommon pediatric exposure, and the effects of accidental or exploratory ingestions are not well characterized. This study examined the clinical effects and outcomes of unintentional lithium ingestions treated in a health care facility for patients up to 16 years old.

METHODS

The database from a single-state Poison Control System was queried for all pediatric lithium exposures managed in a health care facility between January 2006 and December 2021. Inclusion criteria were 16 years or younger and acute lithium exposure treated in a health care facility. Those older than 16 years, nonoral exposures, intentional, chronic, or nonlithium exposures, and out-of-state patients were excluded.

RESULTS

One hundred eighteen cases were included, and 619 were excluded. The median age was 2 years (range, 0.5-15 years). One hundred fifteen (97%) were 7 years or younger. Sixty-eight (57.6%) were boys. One hundred thirteen (96%) were exploratory ingestions. Lithium carbonate was the most common formulation, with a median reported dose of 525 mg (range, 100-13,500 mg). Sixty-seven (57%) had serum lithium concentrations available: 19 (28%) were detectable (>0.1 mEq/L) and 4 were supratherapeutic (>1.2 mEq/L).One hundred (85%) patients were coded as having no effects. Four (3%) patients had coded effects-1 mild, 2 moderate, and 1 major; all were polydrug ingestions and recovered fully with basic supportive care. The loss to follow-up rate was 12%.A small minority received treatment with intravenous fluids and/or whole bowel irrigation. Thirteen (11%) were admitted, 3 to the ICU. No morbidity or mortality was reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of unintentional pediatric lithium ingestions examined were exploratory and resulted in no significant symptoms. Only a small minority had detectable serum lithium concentrations. All isolated lithium exposures were asymptomatic. Unintentional exposures appear to be benign, even with detectable lithium levels. Further study is needed to better risk stratify for home care versus health care facility evaluation.

Gut microbiome profiles may be related to atypical antipsychotic associated overweight in Asian children with psychiatric disorder: a preliminary study

Objective

Atypical antipsychotics (APs) modify the gut microbiome, and weight gain in response to AP could be mediated by the gut microbiome. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the changes in the gut bacterial microbiome in AP-exposed children with obesity.

Methods

To rule out the confounder of AP indication, the gut bacterial microbiome was compared between healthy controls (Con) and AP-exposed individuals with overweight (APO) or normal weight (APN). Fifty-seven AP-treated outpatients (21 APO and 36 APN) and 25 Con were included in this cross-sectional microbiota study.

Results

AP users, regardless of body mass index, exhibited decreased microbial richness and diversity and a distinct metagenomic composition compared to the Con. Although no differences in the microbiota structure were observed between APO and APN groups, the APO group was characterised by a higher abundance of Megamonas and Lachnospira. Additionally, the differences in the microbial functions were observed between APO and APN groups.

Conclusions

The gut bacterial microbiota of APO children revealed taxonomic and functional differences compared to Con and APN. Further studies are needed to verify these findings and to explore the temporal and causal relationships between these variables.