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.