Fatal methadone poisoning in children: Maryland 1992-1996.

The prevention of accidental poisoning by prescribed an over-the-counter medication has been successfully addressed by the use of child-resistant containers. Nevertheless. accidental methadone poisoning in children remains a problem. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland has investigated four deaths in children due to methadone poisoning over a 4-year period. Three of the cases occurred within a 3-month period. Two victims accidentally ingested methadone within 3 days of each other. The authors address the continuing danger of methadone poisoning to children and identify factors contributing to this problem.