TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2024//
TI  - Paracetamol overdose in Danish children and adolescents during the Covid-19 restrictions
JO  - Danish medical journal
A1  - Kempf, Oliver Nørholm
A1  - Helt, Thora Wesenberg
A1  - Johansen, Klaus Birkelund
A1  - Rittig, Charlotte
A1  - Lundby-Christensen, Louise
A1  - Frederiksen, Marianne Sjølin
A1  - Mathiesen, Pernille
A1  - Boas, Malene
A1  - Nielsen, Preben Berg
A1  - Ellermann, Annie
A1  - Børch, Klaus
A1  - Petersen, Jens Jakob
A1  - Petersen, Thomas Houmann
A1  - Sønderskov, Cæcilie Trier
A1  - Andersen, Jesper
A1  - Nielsen, Rasmus Gaardskær
A1  - Jeppesen, Eva Mosfeldt
A1  - Christensen, Vibeke Brix
SP  - A08230494
EP  - A08230494
VL  - 71
IS  - 5
N2  - INTRODUCTION: To assess the effect of long-term isolation on the mental state of Danish youth. This study aimed to investigate trends in paracetamol overdoses among people under 18 years of age in Denmark during Covid-19 restrictions as an indicator of mental health. <br><br>METHODS: All patients under the age of 18 years presenting with paracetamol overdose at one of the 18 paediatric departments in Denmark from 2016 to 2021 were included. They were identified in all Danish hospital databases using specific diagnostic codes. <br><br>RESULTS: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 3,217 people under 18 years of age were admitted for paracetamol overdose. Among these, 86% (n = 2,755) were girls and 14% (n = 462) were boys. During 2020, a slight (7%) decrease in admissions was observed among both boys and girls compared with the preceding four-year mean value. In 2021, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded by 35% the former all-time high from 2016. Furthermore, the number of overdoses among girls exceeded the pre-four-year period mean value by 43%. Among boys, an 8% increase was seen from the highest ever previous value recorded in 2019 and a 23% increase compared with the previous four-year mean value. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: During the first year of restrictions, a slight decrease in paracetamol overdoses was observed, possibly associated with limited accessibility. The second year showed a considerable increase in paracetamol overdoses, which may imply an affected mental state among youth during the prolonged lockdown restrictions as seen in previous epidemics. Therefore, further studies are warranted to develop a pandemic preparedness plan to protect general mental health. FUNDING: None. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not relevant.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 2245-1919
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.61409/A08230494
ID  - ref1
ER  -