Over-the-counter medications encountered in the postmortem pediatric population from 2010–2020.

This article focuses on trends in over-the-counter (OTC) medication findings in postmortem pediatric toxicology cases from 2010 to 2020, analyzing data from 1,413 cases involving individuals aged 0–18 years. The study categorizes the pediatric population into three age groups—5 years and under (5U), middle childhood (MC, 6–11 years), and early adolescence (EA, 12–18 years)—and identifies antihistamines, pain relievers, and cold/flu medications as the most common OTC drug classes detected, with diphenhydramine, acetaminophen, and dextromethorphan being the most prevalent individual drugs. The youngest (5U) and oldest (EA) groups showed higher positivity rates and more frequent polydrug combinations, often involving central nervous system depressants, opioids, and cannabinoids, compared to the MC group. The findings highlight the complexities of pediatric OTC medication exposure, including risks of unintentional overdoses in younger children and intentional misuse or recreational use in adolescents, underscoring the importance of careful interpretation of toxicology results within the context of case histories.