Emergency department management of opioid use disorder in pediatric patients

J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2024 Aug 25;5(5):e13265. doi: 10.1002/emp2.13265. eCollection 2024 Oct.

Abstract

Opioid use disorder (OUD) has emerged as a significant public health crisis affecting individuals across all age groups. However, there remains a critical gap in understanding the specific nuances and challenges associated with OUD in pediatric populations. This article provides a comprehensive review of the epidemiology, definition of OUD, screening recommendations for OUD, and evidence-based management strategies for OUD in pediatric patients.

Keywords: OUD; buprenorphine; methadone; opioid use disorder; opioid‐related disorders; pediatric; substance‐related disorders.