Pediatric nicotine exposures from devices and liquids: a comparative analysis of U.S. poison center data
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Introduction
Pediatric nicotine exposures remain an important and preventable public health issue, particularly with the rapid expansion of electronic nicotine delivery systems. This study compared demographic characteristics, exposure circumstances, and clinical outcomes between pediatric cases involving nicotine devices and bottled liquids reported to U.S. poison centers.
Method
This retrospective cohort study analyzed National Poison Data System cases from 2011–2022 involving children aged ≤ 5 years exposed to nicotine devices or bottled liquids. Analyses were limited to cases with definitive medical outcomes. The primary outcome was defined as a moderate or major clinical effect or death. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, with a secondary analysis restricted to route-concordant exposures.
Results
The final cohort included 15,497 cases: 10,168 device exposures and 5,329 liquid exposures. Demographic characteristics were similar between groups. Device exposures more frequently involved inhalation, while ingestion predominated overall. Clinical effects were typically mild and transient, with vomiting and coughing most commonly reported. The primary outcome occurred in 1.9% of device cases and 2.0% of liquid cases (OR = 1.05; 95% CI 0.82–1.34). A secondary analysis restricted to inhalation-only device exposures and ingestion-only liquid exposures similarly found no significant difference in clinically important outcomes (OR = 1.38; 95% CI 0.92–2.12). Two deaths occurred, one in each group.
Conclusion
These findings suggest that, despite differences in formulation and route of exposure, nicotine devices and bottled liquids produce broadly similar clinical toxicity profiles in young children. Prevention strategies should address all household nicotine products rather than focusing on specific delivery systems.
