A kratom study shows a risk of neonatal withdrawal, a drastic increase in calls to poison centers



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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – A new study released this week by the Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Central Ohio Poison Center of the Nationwide Children's Hospital revealed a dramatic increase in the number of appeals at poison control centers of the United States for exposure to kratom need to educate pregnant women about the dangers.

It comes in tablets and powder, but whatever their shape, the leaves of tropical kratom can do the same thing: treat pain, depression, anxiety and even help with opioid withdrawal.

"It's a natural plant that people look at and say:" It's natural but it's a very potent plant, "said Henry Spiller, MS, DABAT, co-author of the 39; study and director of the Central Ohio Poison Center of the Nationwide Children's Hospital.

The National Drug Abuse Control Institute reports that the leaves contain compounds that can cause effects similar to those of opioids and stimulants by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain, resulting in sedation, pleasure, and decreased activity. pain, especially at high doses. According to NIDA, users report small increases in energy, sociability and alertness, according to NIDA.

RELATED: Kratom's lawyer says the stuff saves lives

However, even though this is natural, Spiller said people should be careful.

"People are not aware of the risks involved," said Spiller.

The study indicates that the annual number of calls to poison control centers has increased dramatically, from about 13 calls in 2011 to nearly 700 calls in 2017, the equivalent of $ 10,000. about one call a month to two calls a day, with two thirds. of these exhibitions between 2016 and 2017.

The side effects of this substance range from convulsions to death, even.

"There are many other things that people are not aware of," said Spiller.

Tachycardia, irritability, hypertension, convulsions, coma, renal failure (renal) and death related to the use of kratom were the medical effects observed in the # 39; study.

"The use of kratom has been associated with a variety of serious medical consequences, ranging from seizures and coma in adults to severe withdrawal syndrome in the newborn," Spiller said.

The study also revealed that children were exposed, including at least seven newborns. Five of the newborns were behind. For Spiller, it was the most surprising result of the study.

"We have to inform the mothers. This will affect your fetus, it will really affect your child, "said Spiller.

In total, the study indicates that 48 of these calls involved exposure of children 12 years old and younger and 69% of those 48 were under two years old.

Six states – Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Tennessee, Vermont and Wisconsin – have banned kratom and other municipalities have also banned the substance.

In Ohio, the board of state pharmacies said it wanted to make it a Schedule 1 substance, which falls into the same category as marijuana and heroin.

However, at the last meeting of the board of directors, they received about 6,000 public comments from both sides of the spectrum. They now take the time to review them before making a decision.

Currently, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has classified kratom as a "drug of concern." It is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which means that the quality, purity and concentration of the product can vary considerably.

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