Pediatric Toxicology: Children Are Not Small Adults.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-2025
Identifier
DOI: 10.1016/j.cll.2025.01.016
Abstract
In pediatrics, the phrase "children are not small adults" underscores essential physiologic and pathologic differences between children and adults, particularly in clinical toxicology. Key variations include body mass, organ maturity, enzyme activities, drug metabolism, behavior, and communication abilities. Notably, over half of toxic exposures occur in children, with 76% affecting those under 5 years of age. Toxic exposures can occur at any point in childhood, including in utero from maternal drug use, and can cause lifelong effects. Effective management of pediatric overdoses involves specialized diagnostic approaches, laboratory tests, and supportive care, alongside the use of antidotes.
Journal Title
Clinics in laboratory medicine
Volume
45
Issue
2
First Page
341
Last Page
357
MeSH Keywords
Humans; Child; Toxicology; Child, Preschool; Infant; Pediatrics; Drug Overdose
PubMed ID
40348444
Keywords
Antidotes; Drug screens; Drugs of abuse; Overdose; Pediatrics toxicology; Toxic exposures
Recommended Citation
Garg U, Thornton S. Pediatric Toxicology: Children Are Not Small Adults. Clin Lab Med. 2025;45(2):341-357. doi:10.1016/j.cll.2025.01.016
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