Adolescent alcohol intoxication in the dutch hospital Departments of Pediatrics

Objective This study was conducted to investigate the number and characteristics of adolescent alcohol intoxication cases in hospital Departments of Pediatrics. The study also analyzes drinking patterns and intoxication characteristics. Method: Data were collected using the Dutch Pediatric Surveillance System, in which about 92% of general pediatricians and 83% of academic pediatricians participate. In 2007, questionnaires were collected every month within 56 hospitals. A total of 297 adolescent alcohol intoxications were reported, of which 231 cases were analyzed. Results: Hospital-admitted adolescents in this study are 12-18 years old, with an average age of 15.3 years. Intoxicated adolescents appear to be a representative sample of the Dutch population on all background variables (gender, educational level, family structure). Conclusions: This study shows the serious nature of adolescent intoxication and may indicate that more strict governmental alcohol control policies are required