Recent Trends in the Burden of Alcohol Intoxication on Pediatric In-Patient Services in Germany

Abstract

Aims: To elicit data on alcohol intoxications requiring in-patient treatment in children and adolescents in Germany between 2000 and 2002.

Design and participants: An ex-post analysis was performed to assess the number of children and adolescents (age 10-17 years) with acute alcohol intoxications requiring in-patient hospital treatment (≥24 hours).

Setting: 22 major children hospitals in Germany.

Findings: The number of acute alcohol intoxications requiring in-patient treatment increased from 227 in 2000 to 313 in 2001 (+37.9%; p^*<.01) and 350 in 2002 (+10.6%; p^*<.05). 10-12 year-old children comprised 2.2%, adolescents aged 13-14 years 28.6%, and adolescents aged 15-17 years 69.2% of the study population. The most significant increase was seen in adolescents aged 13-14 years (2001: +35.9%, and 2002: +19.3%; p^*<.05), and 15-17 years (2001: +59.1%, and 2002: +10.1%; p^*<.05). The percentage of female patients increased from 34.1% in 2000 to 41.9% in 2001 and 49.8% in 2002 (p^*<.05). Mean time spent in the hospital was 1.7 days (range: 1 day->4 days).

Discussion and conclusions: This is one of the very few studies that provide epidemiological data on the specific issue of alcohol intoxications in children and adolescents that require in-patient treatment. Apparently, gender differences seem to play a minor role in alcohol-related hospital admissions. Our data demonstrate that excessive alcohol consumption remains an issue of concern in this age cohort.

Zusammenfassung

Fragestellung: Ziel dieser Untersuchung war es, Daten bezüglich Alkoholintoxikationen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, welche eine stationäre Aufnahme (≥24 Stunden) erforderten, für den Zeitraum 2000-2002 in Deutschland zu erheben.

Patienten und Methode: Es wurde eine post-hoc Analyse durchgeführt, um die Anzahl der Kinder und Jugendlichen (Alter: 10-17 Jahre) zu erfassen, die in 22 großen deutschen Kinderkliniken aufgrund einer Alkoholintoxikation stationär behandelt werden mussten.

Ergebnisse: Die Anzahl der aufgrund einer akuten Alkoholintoxikation stationär behandelten Kinder und Jugendlichen stieg von 227 Patienten im Jahr 2000 auf 313 im Jahr 2001(+37,9%; p^*<,01) und 350 im Jahr 2002 an (+10,6%; p^*<,05). 10-12-Jährige machten 2,2%, 13-14-Jährige 28,6% und 15-17-Jährige 69,2% des Patientenkollektivs aus. Der stärkste Anstieg war bei Jugendlichen im Alter von 13-14 Jahren (2001: +35,9%; 2002: +19,3%; p^*<,05), und 15-17 Jahren (2001: +59,1%; 2002: +10,1%; p^*<,05) festzustellen. Der Anteil der weiblichen Patienten stieg von 34,1% im Jahr 2000 auf 41,9% im Jahr 2001 und 49,8% im Jahr 2002 an (p^*<,05). Die mittlere stationäre Verweildauer betrug 1,7 Tage (Spanne: 1 Tag->4 Tage).

Diskussion: Dies ist eine der wenigen Studien, die epidemiologische Daten zur Häufigkeit von Alkoholvergiftungen bei Kindern und Jugendlichen, welche eine stationäre Behandlung erforderten, präsentiert. Unsere Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass exzessiver Alkoholkonsum weiterhin ein Problem bei Kindern und Jugend-lichen darstellt. Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen zudem, dass zunehmend auch Mädchen zu problematischem Trinkverhalten neigen.

Key words

Alcohol intoxication - children - adolescents - gender - in-patient treatment

Schlüsselwörter

Alkoholintoxikation - Kinder - Jugendliche - Geschlechterverteilung - stationäre Behandlung

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