Alcohol and children: clinical and forensic study

Abstract

Background. The study aimed to evaluate the differences in the clinical pictures in the group of alcohol intoxication (without the loss of conscious) and alcohol poisoning (with the loss of conscious).
 Aims. The study aimed to establish what levels of ethanol in the blood in children and adolescents lead to the loss of consciousness, and thus, ethanol poisoning.
 Materials and Methods. Based on the obtained data on underage children (forensic bureau, pediatric hospital No. 13, Moscow), the patients were divided into two groups: (1) children who had mild or significant disorders after alcohol consumption (alcohol intoxication) and (2) children who faced coma, respiratory arrest, or death after alcohol consumption (alcohol poisoning). Group 1 included 49 cases of hospitalization of children aged 12-17 years old to the Toxicological Unit. Group 2 included 18 children aged 11-17 years old.
 Results. The levels of ethanol in the blood and urine of males and in the blood of females were significantly higher than in patients with alcohol intoxication. The objective status of patients was the same. There were no differences in alcohol pharmacokinetics (resorption, elimination). There were no differences in the instrumental parameter readings either. In the present study, alcohol intoxication and alcohol poisoning were not associated with dangerous changes in such parameters as SBP, DBP, HR, and RR.
 Conclusion. The results showed that ethanol poisoning in children aged 11-17 years old developed at the concentration of ethanol 2.61 g/L in the blood and 3.01 g/L in the urine. Besides, there were no significant differences in the instrumental parameters.