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Emergency department visits for medical device-associated adverse events among children
Cunlin Wang1, Brock Hefflin, Judith U Cope
1Food and Drug Administration, Center for Devices and Radiological Health, Office of Surveillance and Biometrics, Silver Spring, MD 20993-0002, USA. cunlin.wang@fda.hhs.gov
Insights
Over 144,000 pediatric emergency department visits were linked to medical device-associated adverse events (MDAEs) annually. Contact lenses and needles were common culprits, highlighting the need for injury prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Medical Device Safety
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Medical device-associated adverse events (MDAEs) represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the epidemiology of pediatric MDAEs is crucial for targeted prevention efforts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the national incidence of emergency department (ED) visits for pediatric MDAEs.
- To characterize the types of devices, injuries, and patient demographics involved in these events.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of ED medical record data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP).
- Inclusion of pediatric patients (0-21 years) with MDAEs from January 2004 to December 2005.
- Stratification of MDAEs by medical specialty, device category, injury diagnosis, and patient characteristics.
Main Results:
- An estimated 144,799 pediatric MDAEs occurred over the 24-month study period.
- Contact lenses (23%) and hypodermic needles (8%) were the most frequent devices involved.
- Common injuries included contusions, foreign body intrusions, punctures, and infections, primarily affecting the eyeball, face, and extremities.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric MDAEs result in a substantial number of ED visits, underscoring the need for enhanced safety measures.
- Interventions aimed at preventing device-related injuries in children and adolescents are warranted.
Objectives:
The purposes of this study were to provide national estimates of emergency department (ED) visits for medical device-associated adverse events (MDAEs) in the pediatric population and to characterize these events further.
Methods:
ED medical record reports from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program database from January 1, 2004, through December 21, 2005, were reviewed. MDAEs among pediatric patients were identified, and data were abstracted. National estimates for pediatric MDAEs were determined according to medical specialty, device category and class, injury diagnosis, and patient characteristics and outcome.
Results:
The total estimated number of pediatric MDAEs during the 24-month period was 144,799 (95% confidence interval: 113,051-183,903), involving devices from 13 medical specialties. Contact lenses accounted for most MDAEs (23%), followed by hypodermic needles (8%). The distribution of MDAEs according to medical specialty varied according to age subgroup. The most-prevalent types of injuries included contusions/abrasions, foreign-body intrusions, punctures, lacerations, and infections. The most-frequently affected body parts were the eyeball, pubic region, finger, face, and ear. The majority of pediatric MDAEs involved class II (moderate-risk) devices. The incidence of pediatric MDAEs decreased with increasing age from early to late childhood and then spiked after 10 years of age. More girls than boys were affected at older ages (16-21 years) and more boys than girls at younger ages (< or =10 years). Hospitalizations were more likely to involve invasive or implanted devices.
Conclusions:
This study provides national estimates of pediatric MDAEs resulting in ED visits and highlights the need to develop interventions to prevent pediatric device-related injuries.
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