Foreign Body Ingestion Is Becoming More Common
Foreign body ingestion (FBI) among children younger than 6 years old has become more common in recent years, according to the results of a recent study.1
In an effort to describe the epidemiology of FBIs in children younger than 6 years old from 1995 to 2015, the researchers performed a retrospective analysis using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Overall, 29,893 cases were reviewed.
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Based on the reviewed cases, the researchers estimated that 759,074 children aged younger than 6 years were evaluated for FBIs during the study period. The annual rate of FBI per 10,000 children increased by 91.5% from 9.5 in 1995 to 18 in 2015. FBIs were more frequent in boys (52.9%) and in children 1 year of age (21.3%).
Objects ingested included coins (61.7%), toys (10.3%), jewelry (7.0%), and batteries (6.8%). Pennies were the most commonly ingested coin (65.9%) and button batteries were most common among batteries (85.9%).
“The dramatic increase in foreign body injuries over the 21-year study period, coupled with the sheer number and profundity of injuries is cause for concern,” the authors said in a press release.2
“Continued advocacy and product regulations are needed to keep children safe, and the data shows that vigilance, advocacy and regulations are effective.”
—Michael Potts
References:
- Orsagh-Yentis D, McAdams RJ, Roberts KJ, McKenzie LB. Foreign-body ingestions of young children treated in US Emergency Departments: 1995–2015 [published online April 12, 2019]. Pediatrics. doi: 10.1542/peds.2018-1988.
- Increase in foreign body ingestions among young children [press release]. April 12, 2019. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/nch-iif040819.php.