To describe the epidemiology of foreign-body ingestions (FBIs) of children <6 years of age who were treated in US emergency departments from 1995 to 2015.
We performed a retrospective analysis using ...data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for children <6 years of age who were treated because of concern of FBI from 1995 to 2015. National estimates were generated from the 29 893 actual cases reviewed.
On the basis of those cases, 759 074 children <6 years of age were estimated to have been evaluated for FBIs in emergency departments over 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 (
= 0.90;
< .001). Overall, boys more frequently ingested foreign bodies (52.9%), as did children 1 year of age (21.3%). Most children were able to be discharged after their suspected ingestion (89.7%). Among the types of objects ingested, coins were the most frequent (61.7%). Toys (10.3%), jewelry (7.0%), and batteries (6.8%) followed thereafter. The rates of ingestions of those products also increased significantly over the 21-year period. Across all age groups, the most frequently ingested coin was a penny (65.9%). Button batteries were the most common batteries ingested (85.9%).
FBIs remain common in children <6 years of age, and their rate of ingestions has increased over time. The frequency of ingestions noted in this study underscores the need for more research to determine how best to prevent these injuries.
To examine the association between state seat belt laws and the prevalence of seat belt use among a nationally representative sample of teenagers in the United States, taking into consideration ...state-specific child restraint laws that could affect teenagers of different ages.
Data were from the 2019 state Youth Risk Behavior Survey. We estimated prevalence ratios using modified Poisson regression with robust variance estimates to evaluate associations between state seat belt laws and seat belt use.
Among, 81,929 high school students under 18 from 36 states, 56% always wore a seat belt when someone else was driving. Relative to students in states with secondary enforcement of seat belt laws, students living in states with primary enforcement were 5% more likely (aPR = 1.05, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.11), and students covered by a child restraint law were 6% more likely to always wear a seat belt (aPR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.12) after adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and graduated driver licensing laws.
States with secondary seat belt enforcement should consider upgrading seat belt laws to potentially improve the prevalence of seat belt use among adolescents, potentially reducing injuries and deaths due to motor vehicle crashes.
Background:
Participation in martial arts has been increasing for several years, with millions of children and adolescents engaging in the sport annually. Yet, the most comprehensive examination of ...martial arts–related injuries was completed almost 2 decades ago.
Purpose:
To describe the epidemiology of martial arts–related injuries presenting to US emergency departments (EDs) among pediatric patients.
Study Design:
Descriptive epidemiological study.
Methods:
Data were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for patients aged 3 to 17 years who were treated in US EDs from 2004 through 2021.
Results:
A total of 5656 cases were included in the analysis. An estimated 176,947 children (95% CI, 128,172-225,722) were treated for martial arts–related injuries in US EDs. The rate of martial arts–related injuries per 10,000 children increased from 1.43 in 2004 to 2.07 in 2013 (slope = 0.07; P = .005) and then decreased to 1.44 in 2021 (slope = −0.10; P = .02). The mean injury rates were 2.22 per 10,000 children aged 12-17 years and 1.15 per 10,000 children aged 3-11 years. The most common injuries occurred in children aged 6 to 11 years (39.3%), were strains/sprains (28.4%), and were associated with falling (26.9%). The mechanism of injury differed by the style of martial arts. Compared with other activity types (formal class, horseplay, and unspecified), competition carried a 2.56 times greater risk of head/neck injuries and a 2.70 times greater risk of traumatic brain injuries.
Conclusion:
Martial arts are a significant source of injuries for children aged 3 to 17 years. To continue decreasing the injury rate, the creation and implementation of standardized risk-mitigation rules and regulations that could be applied to all martial arts styles are recommended.
Purpose:
To understand risk perception about cannabis use during pregnancy.
Design:
Mixed -Methods. Setting: Focus groups. Participants: Mothers.
Method:
Focus groups were conducted to learn about ...person’s experiences with pregnancy, health-related behaviors, perception of risky behaviors (cannabis use), and receipt of health-related information during pregnancy. Participants completed the Electronic Health Literacy Scale, the Single Item Literacy Screener, and questions about whether topics were discussed during their prenatal care. Data were coded and analyzed iteratively for emerging themes. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample.
Results:
Twenty-one persons (mean age = 34.4, 57% African American, 38% White, 5% Multi-racial) participated in 4 focus groups. One-third of the participants used cannabis; 24% used alcohol; and 48% used tobacco during pregnancy. Participant’s perceptions and use of cannabis during pregnancy were shaped by relief from pregnancy-related symptoms, recommendations from health care providers that cannabis is safe, anecdotal stories from friends and family, fear associated with prescription medications, and preference for “natural” remedies. The context of distrust of providers permeated these themes. The sample displayed poor e-health literacy compared to other adult samples.
Conclusion:
Inter-related factors that influence cannabis use among persons who are pregnant should be considered when establishing trust between patients and providers, creating messages for patients about cannabis use during pregnancy, and when implementing interventions to improve provider-patient communication about health risk behaviors.
To understand tension mothers experience when attempting to follow American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep guidelines and enhancing infant and parental sleep.
Surveys and focus groups were ...conducted from November 2022 and March 2023 with United States-based English-speaking mothers of infants <6 months of age recruited via social media and who reported a nonrecommended sleep position and/or location ≥2 times the prior week.
Twenty-five mothers participated in focus groups and surveys. A total of 80% reported holding or rocking their infant to sleep; 76% fed their infant to sleep. Almost all were aware of the ABCs (Alone, Back, Crib) of safe sleep and intended to follow them before delivery. Many felt that ABCs were unrealistic and placed their infants in nonrecommended locations or positions because they perceived them as more comfortable and helping their infant fall and stay asleep. Mothers were more likely to use nonrecommended practices when they were awake or sleeping nearby and believed they could closely monitor their infant. Some questioned whether ABCs were the only way to achieve safe sleep. Some prioritized other safety concerns (eg, fall prevention) over sudden infant death syndrome or sudden unexpected infant death prevention. Mothers expressed confidence about getting their baby to sleep in general but were less confident that they could do this while following guidelines.
Despite awareness of the ABCs, mothers regularly engaged in nonrecommended practices with the goal of improving their own and their infant's sleep. Interventions focused on improving infant and parental sleep while maintaining sleep safety are needed.
This study investigated the characteristics and trends of children aged 3 to 19 years treated in US emergency departments for dance-related injuries.
Retrospective analysis of data from the National ...Electronic Injury Surveillance System from 2000 through 2020 was conducted.
An estimated 489,119 children received emergency treatment for a dance-related injury, averaging 23,291 children annually, and the rate of injury increased 68.1% during the 21-year study period. Girls accounted for 80.3% and children aged 15 to 19 years accounted for 46.5% of cases. Sprains/strains were the most frequent diagnosis (44.4%), and lower extremities were the most commonly injured body region (56.4%). Compared with other body regions, patients aged 3 to 10 years were more likely to sustain head/neck injuries (odds ratio, 3.94, 95% confidence interval, 3.42-4.52) than 11- to 19-year-olds. Falls and noncontact mechanisms of injury accounted for 35.6% and 32.1% of injuries, respectively. Unstructured dance activity was associated with 30.8% of dance-related injuries overall and 67.0% among children aged 3 to 5 years. Ballet/pointe dancers frequently sustained lower extremity sprains/strains (39.2%). Compared with other dance types, break dancing was more commonly associated with injuries to an upper extremity than other body regions (odds ratio, 4.76, 95% confidence interval, 3.66-6.19).
The rate of pediatric dance-related injuries treated in US emergency departments is increasing. Unstructured dance activity was an important source of dance-related injury, especially among children aged 3 to 5 years. The injury diagnosis and body region injured varied by child age and type of dance. Additional targeted prevention efforts should be implemented that address the injury characteristics of dancer subgroups.
The goal was to examine comprehensively the patterns and trends of household cleaning product-related injuries among children treated in US emergency departments.
Through use of the National ...Electronic Injury Surveillance System database, cases of unintentional, nonfatal, household cleaning product-related injuries were selected by using product codes for drain cleaners, ammonia, metal polishes/tarnish removers, turpentine, dishwasher detergents, acids, swimming pool chemicals, oven cleaners, pine oil cleaners/disinfectants, laundry soaps/detergents, toilet bowl products, abrasive cleaners, general-purpose household cleaners, noncosmetic bleaches, windshield wiper fluids, caustic agents, lye, wallpaper cleaners, room deodorizers/fresheners, spot removers, and dishwashing liquids. Products were categorized according to major toxic ingredients, mode of action, and exposure.
An estimated 267 269 children<or=5 years of age were treated in US emergency departments for household cleaning product-related injuries. The number of injuries attributable to household cleaning product exposure decreased 46.0% from 22 141 in 1990 to 11 964 in 2006. The product most-commonly associated with injury was bleach (37.1%). Children 1 to 3 years of age accounted for 72.0% of cases. The primary mechanism of injury was ingestion (62.7%). The most common source or container was spray-bottles (40.1%). Although rates of household cleaner-related injuries from regular bottles or original containers and kitchenware decreased during the study period, spray-bottle injury rates showed no decrease.
Although national rates of household cleaning product-related injuries in children decreased significantly over time, the number of injuries remains high.
To examine, using the National Poison Data System (the data warehouse for poison control centers in the US), magnet foreign body injuries in pediatric patients. We sought to report demographic data, ...outcome data, and case trends between 2008 and 2019.
We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System for patients younger than 19 years of age with a magnet “exposure,” which poison centers define as an ingestion, inhalation, injection, or dermal exposure to a poison.
A total of 5738 magnet exposures were identified. Most were male (3169; 55%), <6 years old (3572; 62%), with an unintentional injury (4828; 84%). There were 222 patients (3.9%) with a confirmed medical “effect,” defined as signs, symptoms, and clinical findings not including therapeutic interventions (eg, endoscopy). There was a 33% decrease in cases from 418 (2008-2011) to 281 per year (2012-2017) after high-powered magnet sets were removed from the market. Calls subsequently increased 444% to 1249 per year (2018-2019) after high-powered magnet sets re-entered the market. Cases from 2018 and 2019 increased across all age groups and account for 39% of magnet cases since 2008.
Significant increases in magnet injuries correspond to time periods in which high-powered magnet sets were sold, including a 444% increase since 2018. These results reflect the increased need for preventative or legislative efforts.
To describe the epidemiology of field hockey-related injuries of patients aged 6 to 24 years who were treated in US emergency departments from 2000 to 2020.
The researchers conducted a retrospective ...analysis using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS).
The NEISS collects data on recreational activity-related and consumer product-related injuries treated in US Eds.
Patients aged 6 to 24 years who were treated for field hockey-related injuries in Eds from 2000 to 2020.
The researchers analyzed characteristics that included age, body part injured, injury diagnosis, disposition from the ED, injury locale, injury mechanism, contact, and equipment type.
All cases of field hockey-related injuries were identified using the NEISS product code for field hockey (1295).
There were an estimated 82 639 (95% CI = 45 536-119 742) field hockey-related injuries for patients aged 6 to 24 years treated in US emergency departments from 2000 to 2020. The rate of field hockey-related injuries per 100 000 population did not significantly change from 7.4 in 2000 to 7.4 in 2011 (slope = 0.048; P = 0.581) but significantly decreased from 7.4 in 2011 to 3.7 in 2019 (slope = -0.40; P = 0.018). As player age increased, the risk of injury due to contact with equipment increased (13 years: RR = 0.90; 95% CI = 0.82-0.98, 19-24 years: RR = 1.17; 95% CI = 1.06-1.29). Concussions or traumatic brain injuries accounted for 9.2% of injuries and were most associated with contact with the ball.
Although there was a decrease in the field hockey-related injuries, field hockey remains an important source of injuries for children and young adults.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the epidemiology of battery-related emergency department (ED) visits among children aged <18 years in the United States from 2010 to 2019 and compare with previous study ...findings.
METHODS
Data on ED visits were obtained from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System. Using narrative descriptions and diagnosis codes, battery-related cases were coded into four exposure routes: (1) ingestion, (2) mouth exposure, (3) ear insertion, and (4) nasal insertion.
RESULTS
An estimated 70 322 (95% confidence interval: 51 275–89 369) battery-related ED visits among children aged <18 years occurred during the study period, or 9.5 per 100 000 children annually. Button batteries were implicated in 84.7% of visits where battery type was described. A statistically significant increase in the ED visit rate occurred from 2010 to 2017 (P = .03), followed by a nonstatistically significant decrease from 2017 to 2019. The ED visit rate was highest among children aged ≤5 years compared with those 6 to 17 years (24.5 and 2.2 per 100 000 children, respectively). The mean patient age was 3.2 years (95% confidence interval: 2.9–3.4). Ingestions accounted for 90.0% of ED visits, followed by nasal insertions (5.7%), ear insertions (2.5%), and mouth exposures (1.8%).
CONCLUSIONS
Pediatric battery-related ED visit rates continued to significantly increase from 2010 to 2017, with children aged ≤5 years having the highest rates. Prevention efforts have not significantly reduced injury rates; therefore, regulatory efforts are needed. Ultimately, hazard reduction or elimination through safer button battery design is critical and should be adopted by the battery industry.