Researchers looked at over 1.5 million calls to poison centers from 2000 to 2023 involving children ages 6 to 12 who swallowed medications, supplements, or other substances. Most cases happened by accident at home, but a concerning trend emerged: calls about children intentionally poisoning themselves jumped 311% over 23 years. By age 12, these intentional cases made up about 1 in 4 calls. The study shows these intentional exposures are much more serious, with kids needing hospital care 14 times more often than accidental cases. This research highlights a growing mental health crisis among older elementary and middle school children that needs urgent attention.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How many children ages 6-12 called poison centers after swallowing medications, supplements, or drugs, and whether the calls were accidents or intentional self-harm attempts
  • Who participated: Over 1.5 million exposure cases reported to US poison centers between 2000 and 2023 involving children in elementary and middle school. Most involved boys (58%), happened at home (96%), and involved just one substance (90%)
  • Key finding: While overall poison center calls from this age group increased 54% over 23 years, calls about intentional self-harm jumped 311%. By age 12, intentional cases represented about 26% of all calls. Children with intentional exposures were 14 times more likely to need hospital admission and 8 times more likely to have serious medical problems
  • What it means for you: Parents and caregivers should watch for warning signs of emotional distress in children ages 10-12, secure medications and supplements, and know that poison center calls (1-800-222-1222) can help immediately if a child swallows something harmful. Teachers and counselors should be alert to mental health struggles in this age group

The Research Details

Researchers analyzed 23 years of data (2000-2023) from the National Poison Data System, which tracks every call made to poison centers across the United States. They looked at 1.5 million cases involving children ages 6 to 12 and organized the information by age, type of substance, location, and whether the exposure appeared accidental or intentional. They compared trends over time and calculated how much more serious intentional exposures were compared to accidental ones.

The study examined what substances were involved (medications, vitamins, supplements, and drugs), where exposures happened (mostly homes), and the medical outcomes (from no symptoms to death). They paid special attention to cases where children appeared to intentionally harm themselves, tracking how common these cases were and how they changed over the 23-year period.

This type of analysis is powerful because it uses real-world data from actual poison center calls rather than relying on surveys or experiments. It shows patterns that doctors and public health officials can use to understand and prevent problems.

Understanding trends in poisoning calls helps doctors, parents, and schools know what dangers to watch for and when to be concerned about a child’s mental health. By tracking changes over time, researchers can spot emerging problems early. The dramatic increase in intentional self-harm cases suggests something important is changing in children’s mental health that needs immediate attention.

This study uses official national data from poison centers, making it reliable and comprehensive. The large sample size (1.5 million cases) means the findings are statistically strong. However, the data depends on accurate reporting by poison center staff, and some cases may be misclassified as accidental when they were actually intentional, or vice versa. The study is observational, meaning it shows what happened but cannot prove that one thing caused another.

What the Results Show

Between 2000 and 2023, poison centers received 1.5 million calls about children ages 6-12 who had been exposed to harmful substances. The overall number of calls increased by 54% over this period. However, the most alarming finding was that calls specifically about intentional self-harm or suicide attempts increased by 311%—nearly six times faster than accidental exposures.

The pattern changed dramatically with age. Among 6-year-olds, only about 1% of calls involved intentional self-harm. By age 12, this jumped to 26%—meaning that by the end of elementary school, more than 1 in 4 poison center calls involved a child intentionally poisoning themselves. This suggests a critical age window around 11-12 years old when children’s mental health struggles may become more serious.

Children who intentionally poisoned themselves had much worse outcomes than those with accidental exposures. They were 14 times more likely to need hospital admission and 8 times more likely to experience serious medical effects. While most accidental exposures caused minimal harm, intentional exposures frequently required emergency medical care. The study documented 95 deaths total, with intentional cases representing a disproportionate share of the most severe outcomes.

Most exposures (90%) involved a single substance, and the majority occurred at home (96%), suggesting that securing medications and supplements in homes is important. Boys accounted for 58% of all calls, though the gender difference was smaller for intentional cases. Therapeutic errors—when children accidentally took the wrong dose or wrong medication—accounted for nearly half of all exposures (49%), indicating that medication safety education for families is crucial. The most commonly involved substances were pain relievers, cold medicines, and psychiatric medications.

This research confirms and expands on previous concerns about rising self-harm in children. Earlier studies suggested that mental health problems were increasing in young people, and this poison center data provides concrete evidence of one serious manifestation. The 311% increase in intentional exposures over 23 years is consistent with reports of rising depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts among children and adolescents. This study shows the problem extends into the elementary school years, particularly affecting 11- and 12-year-olds.

The study cannot determine why exposures happened—it can only note what poison center staff recorded. Some cases labeled as ‘accidental’ might have been intentional, and vice versa. The data doesn’t include children who harmed themselves but never called a poison center. The study shows correlation (things happening together) but cannot prove causation (one thing causing another). Additionally, the data doesn’t explain why the increase is happening or identify which children are at highest risk.

The Bottom Line

Parents should: (1) Store all medications and supplements in locked cabinets out of children’s reach, (2) Talk openly with children ages 10+ about feelings and stress, (3) Know the poison center number (1-800-222-1222) and call immediately if a child swallows something harmful. Schools and pediatricians should: (1) Screen children ages 10-12 for depression and suicidal thoughts, (2) Teach mental health awareness, (3) Have clear protocols for connecting struggling children with counseling. These recommendations have moderate to strong evidence support based on this and related research.

Parents of children ages 6-12 should pay close attention, especially those with 11-12 year olds. Teachers, school counselors, and pediatricians need to be aware of this trend. Mental health professionals should consider substance exposure as a sign of serious distress. Policymakers should use this data to fund prevention programs. This research is less relevant for families with teenagers (though the trend likely continues) or families without access to medications.

Prevention efforts may reduce exposures within months to a year if implemented widely. Mental health improvements from counseling or treatment typically take weeks to months to show benefits. However, preventing even one serious poisoning or suicide attempt makes these efforts worthwhile immediately.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track medication and supplement inventory weekly, noting what’s stored at home and whether it’s secured. Log any concerning behaviors or mood changes in children ages 10-12, such as increased sadness, withdrawal, or talk of self-harm. Set reminders for mental health check-ins with children.
  • Use the app to set up a medication safety checklist: secure storage location, locked cabinet, out-of-reach shelf, or other method. Create a ‘conversation starter’ feature that prompts parents to have age-appropriate talks with children about feelings and stress. Set alerts for poison center number (1-800-222-1222) in case of emergency.
  • Monthly review of medication storage safety. Quarterly check-ins on child’s emotional wellbeing using simple screening questions. Annual assessment of whether mental health support is needed. Track any concerning incidents or near-misses with substances.

This research describes trends in poison center calls but cannot diagnose individual risk. If you believe a child has swallowed something harmful, call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 or emergency services at 911. If a child shows signs of self-harm, depression, or suicidal thoughts, contact a mental health professional, school counselor, or the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988). This information is educational and should not replace professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult with your child’s pediatrician or a mental health professional about concerns regarding your specific child.