Epidemiology and Trends over Time of Foreign Body Injuries in the Pediatric Emergency Department
Honoria Ocagli,
Danila Azzolina,
Silvia Bressan,
Daniele Bottigliengo,
Elisabetta Settin,
Giulia Lorenzoni,
Dario Gregori,
Liviana Da Dalt
Affiliations
Honoria Ocagli
Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, via Loredan 18, 35128 Padova, Italy
Danila Azzolina
Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, via Loredan 18, 35128 Padova, Italy
Silvia Bressan
Pediatric Emergency Unit—Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, via Nicolò Giustiniani, 3, 35128 Padova, Italy
Daniele Bottigliengo
Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, via Loredan 18, 35128 Padova, Italy
Elisabetta Settin
Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, via Loredan 18, 35128 Padova, Italy
Giulia Lorenzoni
Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, via Loredan 18, 35128 Padova, Italy
Dario Gregori
Unit of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Public Health, Department of Cardiac, Thoracic, Vascular Sciences, and Public Health, University of Padova, via Loredan 18, 35128 Padova, Italy
Liviana Da Dalt
Pediatric Emergency Unit—Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, via Nicolò Giustiniani, 3, 35128 Padova, Italy
This paper presents the epidemiology of foreign body injuries in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) of Padova (Italy) along with its trends over an eleven-year period based on administrative data. Annual incidence rates (IRs) of PED presentations for foreign body (FB) injuries per 1000 person-years were calculated. Univariable and multivariable generalized linear (GLM) Poisson models were estimated to evaluate the relationship between FB injury incidence and year, triage priority, nationality, injury site, and FB type. During the study period, there were 217,900 presentations of pediatric residents in the province of Padova; of these, 3084 (1.5%) reported FB injuries involving the ears, nose, throat, gastrointestinal tract or eyes. The annual IR of FB injury episodes increased from 10.45 for 1000 residents in 2007 (95% CI, 9.24, 11.77) to 12.66 for 1000 residents in 2018 (95% CI, 11.35, 14.08). Nonfood items were the FBs that were most frequently reported. The intermediate urgent triage code was the most represented for FB injuries, with IRs ranging from 5.44 (95% CI: 4.59, 6.40) in 2008 to 8.56 in 2018 (95% CI: 7.50, 9.74). A total of 170 patients who presented for FB injuries were hospitalized (5.5%). The annual FB-related injury IR has increased over time, although most episodes are not life threatening. Educational and prevention programs on FB-related injuries should be promoted and dedicated to childcare providers.
