Incidence of electronic cigarette exposures in children skyrockets in Arizona

Introduction:
This text is a retrospective medical record review of electronic cigarette exposure calls to the Arizona Poison Control Center (PCC) from 2012 to 2014. The study aims to evaluate trends in exposures over time and patient demographics and further characterize outcomes following electronic cigarette exposure.

Key Points:

* The study found an increase in electronic cigarette exposure calls to the PCC from 10 in 2012 to 66 in 2014.
* Children not older than 5 years accounted for 52.0% of total exposure calls.
* Exposures increased by 775% for children between 2012 and 2014 compared to a 417% increase observed in adults over that same time period.
* All patients were asymptomatic or reported mild symptoms including vomiting, nausea, and dizziness.
* Children younger than 5 years experienced a greater increase in electronic cigarette exposure cases (775%) from 2012 to 2014 compared to adults (417%).
* The study was limited by underestimation due to passive surveillance and potential for reporting bias.
* Electronic cigarettes are largely unregulated by the Food and Drug Administration, and there are concerns about variable nicotine concentrations and lack of product design safety standards.

Main Message:
The study highlights a significant increase in electronic cigarette exposure calls to the PCC, particularly among children not older than 5 years. The mild symptomatology observed in patients may reflect low exposure doses, but the potential for serious health effects cannot be ruled out. The largely unregulated nature of electronic cigarettes and variable nicotine concentrations pose concerns for public health. It is essential to have stricter regulations and safety standards for electronic cigarettes to prevent accidental exposures and protect public health.

LoVecchio, Frank, and Olivia Zoph. “Incidence of Electronic Cigarette Exposures in Children Skyrockets in Arizona.” The American Journal of Emergency Medicine 33, no. 6 (June 2015): 834–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajem.2015.02.036.