A new study from University of Western Ontario researchers in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario highlights the scope of opioid-related deaths in young children in Ontario, while providing a clearer picture of the risk factors. The province-wide study, published in the journal Paediatrics & Child Health , looked at specific cases of opioid-related deaths in children under 10 and used situational descriptions to help identify areas for potential interventions. The researchers found that from 2017 to 2021 in Ontario, 10 children died from opioid overdose —the oldest just four years old and the youngest nine months old.
This is the first study to analyze opioid-related deaths in those under 10 in Canada and examine the circumstances to help prevent these tragic outcomes in the future. "The coroner's office identified a series of deaths of children with opioids, but there was a gap in understanding related to the circumstances or the risk factors surrounding the deaths," said Dr. Michael Rieder, lead author and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor.
The Office of the Chief Coroner of Ontario is the largest centralized coroner system in North America. It collects data from across the province, including data containing detailed information regarding opioid-related deaths through an Opioid Investigative Aid database. Opioids are a group of drugs that include fentanyl, usually prescribed to relieve pain.
However, high doses can slow breathing.