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Peer-reviewedCC BYFrontiers in toxicology

Paediatric poisoning fatalities: toxicological, forensic, and child protection considerations.

  • Emina Dervišević1
  • Temima Ajanović2
  • Amina Zorlak-Čavčić1
  • Giuseppe Davide Albano3
  • Claudia Trignano4
  • Anita Galić Mihić5
  • Almir Fajkić6
  • Ferid Krupić7,8
  • Stefano D'Errico9
9 affiliations
  1. 1Deparment of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  2. 2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  3. 3Section of Legal Medicine, Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
  4. 4Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy.
  5. 5Institut of Forensic Medicine and Criminalistics University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia.
  6. 6Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
  7. 7Departments of Orthopaedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  8. 8Department of Anaesthesiology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
  9. 9Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy.
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Abstract

Childhood poisoning remains a significant global public health concern and continues to rank among the leading causes of unintentional injury-related deaths in children aged 0-14 years. Even though many of these exposures are thought to be accidental, it can occasionally be challenging to determine the reason and purpose behind a particular occurrence. This review examines the epidemiology, mechanisms, and classifications of paediatric toxicological deaths, with emphasis on accidental, abuse-neglect-related -associated poisonings in children. The review discusses global and regional trends in paediatric poisoning mortality, highlighting age-specific risk patterns and the most commonly implicated toxic agents. It further explores the medico-legal classification of toxicological deaths, differentiating between natural and unnatural causes and emphasizing the critical role of forensic toxicology in determining the manner of death. Particular attention is given to intentional poisoning associated with child abuse, including drug-facilitated abuse and Munchausen syndrome by proxy, alongside key clinical and forensic indicators. The review also addresses toxic exposures resulting from neglect, including environmental toxins such as lead and carbon monoxide, unsafe living conditions, and patterns of chronic versus acute exposure. In addition, accidental poisonings involving household chemicals and medications are examined, with discussion of contributory factors such as inadequate supervision and unsafe packaging. Prevention strategies, public health interventions, and the importance of early recognition are emphasized throughout. This review highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches involving healthcare professionals, forensic specialists, and public health systems to reduce paediatric toxicological mortality and improve child safety outcomes.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{dervisevic2026paediatric,
  title = {{Paediatric poisoning fatalities: toxicological, forensic, and child protection considerations.}},
  author = {Emina Dervišević and Temima Ajanović and Amina Zorlak-Čavčić and Giuseppe Davide Albano and Claudia Trignano and Anita Galić Mihić and Almir Fajkić and Ferid Krupić and Stefano D'Errico},
  journal = {Frontiers in toxicology},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.3389/ftox.2026.1987557},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948333},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Paediatric poisoning fatalities: toxicological, forensic, and child protection considerations.
AU  - Emina Dervišević
AU  - Temima Ajanović
AU  - Amina Zorlak-Čavčić
AU  - Giuseppe Davide Albano
AU  - Claudia Trignano
AU  - Anita Galić Mihić
AU  - Almir Fajkić
AU  - Ferid Krupić
AU  - Stefano D'Errico
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/13
JO  - Frontiers in toxicology
DO  - 10.3389/ftox.2026.1987557
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42948333
AB  - Childhood poisoning remains a significant global public health concern and continues to rank among the leading causes of unintentional injury-related deaths in children aged 0-14 years. Even though many of these exposures are thought to be accidental, it can occasionally be challenging to determine the reason and purpose behind a particular occurrence. This review examines the epidemiology, mechanisms, and classifications of paediatric toxicological deaths, with emphasis on accidental, abuse-neglect-related -associated poisonings in children. The review discusses global and regional trends in paediatric poisoning mortality, highlighting age-specific risk patterns and the most commonly implicated toxic agents. It further explores the medico-legal classification of toxicological deaths, differentiating between natural and unnatural causes and emphasizing the critical role of forensic toxicology in determining the manner of death. Particular attention is given to intentional poisoning associated with child abuse, including drug-facilitated abuse and Munchausen syndrome by proxy, alongside key clinical and forensic indicators. The review also addresses toxic exposures resulting from neglect, including environmental toxins such as lead and carbon monoxide, unsafe living conditions, and patterns of chronic versus acute exposure. In addition, accidental poisonings involving household chemicals and medications are examined, with discussion of contributory factors such as inadequate supervision and unsafe packaging. Prevention strategies, public health interventions, and the importance of early recognition are emphasized throughout. This review highlights the need for multidisciplinary approaches involving healthcare professionals, forensic specialists, and public health systems to reduce paediatric toxicological mortality and improve child safety outcomes.
SN  - 2673-3080
ER  -