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Foreign bodies in the ears causing complications and requiring hospitalization in children 0-14 age: results from the
Dario Gregori1, Bruno Morra, Paola Berchialla
1Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. dario.gregori@unito.it
Insights
Foreign bodies in children
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Foreign bodies (FBs) in the ear are a frequent and serious issue in pediatric otorhinolaryngology.
- Understanding the factors contributing to complications and prolonged hospital stays is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the risks associated with ear foreign bodies in children.
- To analyze patient demographics, FB characteristics, accident circumstances, and hospitalization details to identify risk factors for complications.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study was conducted across 19 European hospitals.
- Data from 498 pediatric patients (0-14 years) with ear foreign bodies were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Complications occurred in 13.05% of cases, including canal lesions, tympanic membrane perforation, inflammation, bleeding, pain, and otitis.
- Spherical, rigid, and inorganic foreign bodies were significantly associated with hospitalization.
- Most hospitalizations were short-term (median 1 day) and managed in day hospital settings.
Conclusions:
- Ear foreign body injuries are common in children, with non-ENT removal increasing complication risk.
- Accidents often occur during play without adequate supervision.
- Public education is vital for preventing foreign body injuries.
Objective:
The occurrence of foreign bodies (FBs) in otorhinolaryngological practice is a common and serious problem among patients in paediatric age. The aim of this work is to characterize the risk of complications and prolonged hospitalization due to foreign bodies in ears in terms of the characteristics of the injured patients (age, gender), typology and features of the foreign bodies, the circumstances of the accident and the hospitalization's details.
Methods:
A retrospective study in major hospitals of 19 European countries was realized on children aged 0-14 with regard to the characteristics of the injured child and the FB, the circumstances of the accident and finally the hospitalization's details.
Results:
Four hundred and ninety eight cases were reported with an injury due to insertion of a FB in the ear (ICD931). Complications were observed in 65 (13.05%) children. Complications were lesion of auricular canal, perforation of tympanic membrane, local inflammation, bleeding, pain and otitis. Hospitalization lasted in median 1 day. The 82% of hospitalized children are in the "day hospital" regimen. The spherical, rigid and inorganic FB caused hospitalization in 61%, 63% and 84% of cases, respectively.
Conclusion:
Foreign body injuries in the ears are commonly encountered in clinical practice. The removal by non-ENT personnel can be associated to complications especially in children who have a variable level of cooperation. Occasions for the injury were mostly playing in the absence of watchful caregivers. Since prevention is the most essential way to deal with FB injuries public education should be encouraged.
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