More young teens hospitalized for alcohol poisoning

By Janene Pieters on February 16, 2015 - 09:32

The number of children admitted to the hospital with alcohol poisoning increased last year, despite the stricter legislation.

545 young teenagers were treated for alcohol poisoning in the Netherlands last year, the highest number in history, AD reports. According to the Netherlands Signalling Center Pediatrics, the number of alcohol-related hospital admissions for children increased by 25 percent.

Pediatrician Nico van der Lely of the Reinier de Graaf Hospital in Delft told the AD that the increase was mainly caused by extremely young drinkers. "Increasingly it involves 13 and 14 year olds. With an ever higher blood alcohol level." Last year was also the first time since the Netherlands Signalling Center Pediatrics started registering alcohol poisoning in 2007 that more girls were treated than boys.