ALCOHOL-INTOXICATION IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

Coma and vomiting are the commonest symptoms in young teenagers intoxi cated by alcohol. Severe toxicity, manifested as coma, occurs at lower blood alcohol concentrations in young teenagers than in adults. The e ffect of ethanol on the state of consciousness is directly proportiona l to blood alcohol concentration. Among children under 5 years of age the risk or hypoglycaemia is increased. A significant risk in acute al cohol intoxication is the rapid development of coma, which in cold env ironments could lead to fatal hypothermia. Preschool-age children are reported to eliminate ethanol twice as fast as adults. whereas young t eenagers eliminate it at the adult rate. The biochemical disturbances in children 11 to 16 years of age with alcohol intoxication resemble t hose of adults. Mild acidosis of a respiratory or metabolic origin and mild hypokalaemia are common findings in young teenagers. Fluid repla cement with glucose-containing fluids and follow-up are generally the only treatments needed for complete recovery. Motives leading to alcoh ol intoxication are a wish to pet drunk, experimenting: problems in hu man relations, and attempted suicide. The underlying problems are ofte n family-related, such as divorce, an alcoholic parent and a lower soc ioeconomic group.