A new study has found that the number of opioid painkiller overdose deaths among young children and teens has risen substantially over the past three years.
The study, published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics, analyzed data from children's hospitals from 1997 through 2012 that was taken at three-year intervals. The researchers identified more than 13,000 records of children and teens hospitalized for opioid painkiller poisoning.
Researchers found that, among children aged 10 to 14, the incidence of poisonings from suicide or self-inflicted injury rose 37 percent, while the incidence of accidental poisoning increased 82 percent. Among teens 15 to 19, poisonings from suicide or self-inflicted injury increased 140 percent, while accidental poisoning increased 300 percent.
Overall, the study showed a 165 percent increase in poisonings from opioid painkillers among those 19 and younger.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Health News
April 24, 2026 15:15 ET Economics news flow was relatively light this week even as the conflict in the Middle East continued, raising concerns for policymakers. In the U.S., spending data, initial jobless claims and pending home sales were the highlights. Business confidence in the biggest euro area economy was in focus in Europe. Inflation data from Japan gained attention in Asia.