Acute alcohol intoxication in adolescents. A multicentre study

Aim. Alcohol related pathologies and psychosocial problems are well documented in adults, but not in adolescents. To explore the topic in this age group a Multicentre Study was launched. Patients and methods. This study is a retrospective review of 258 case histories of acute alcohol intoxication in adolescents treated in hospital in four European Countries in the 1990's. Results. Alcohol intoxication occurred more frequently amongst 14 year old boys. However, the occurrence of alcohol intoxication with associated drug ingestion in girls was the same as or even higher than in boys. Spirits, alone or in mixed drinks, were the main cause of intoxication. Alcohol consumption was almost exclusively deliberate, but three cases of forced ingestion were reported. Clinical complications such as hypoglycaemia, seizures, and deep coma with no response to pain were rare. Hypothermia was only observed in colder countries. Severity of intoxication, assessed according to quantitative score, was of low-moderate degree in most of the cases. Short-term outcome was satisfactory and no deaths occurred. Family and personal psychosocial problems and suicide attempts were frequently observed. Conclusions. Alcohol intoxication is an important threat to the health of adolescents. Even though most cases are not severe, it deserves concern, especially in the light of possible underlying psychosocial problems and the risk of adverse consequences later in life.