Trovanje paracetamolom i ibuprofenom u pedijatrijskoj populaciji (Poisoning with paracetamol and ibuprofen in the pediatric population)

Drug poisoning in children represents a significant medical problem that can occur due to improper use of medications. This may result from incorrect prescribing by physicians, errors in pharmaceutical preparation, or unintentional ingestion by children. Medications that are usually safe at appropriate doses can become toxic if misused or overdosed, highlighting the importance of accurate dosing and careful monitoring. Paracetamol, one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for reducing fever and relieving pain, is frequently associated with poisoning due to its easy availability and presence in many over-the-counter combination products. This makes it one of the most common drugs leading to poisoning in children. The studies included in this review encompassed a population of children aged 0 to 15 years, covering both unintentional and intentional poisonings, which represent two distinct categories with different causes, characteristics, and therapeutic needs. Unintentional poisonings most often occur in younger children, particularly those under five years of age, and usually happen when a child ingests a medication out of curiosity or due to a lack of adult supervision. These incidents typically involve small doses of a single drug and, although potentially dangerous, are rarely life-threatening if promptly treated. Keywords: medical poisoning, children, poisoning prevention