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Pediatric injuries and poisonings associated with detergent packets: results from the Canadian Hospitals Injury

Sarah Zutrauen1, James Cheesman2, Steven R McFaull2

  • 1Centre for Surveillance and Applied Research, Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch, Public Health Agency of Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada. sarah.zutrauen@phac-aspc.gc.ca.

Injury Epidemiology
|July 11, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Detergent packet injuries and poisonings in children remain a significant concern in Canada, with a notable increase in cases after the COVID-19 pandemic began. Eye injuries and poisonings are common, highlighting the need for ongoing prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Pediatric Safety

Background:

  • Detergent packets present a significant risk of injuries and poisonings, particularly to children.
  • This study investigates the epidemiological patterns of pediatric injuries and poisonings linked to detergent packets in Canada.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the characteristics of pediatric injuries and poisonings from detergent packets.
  • To assess temporal trends and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these incidents.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized emergency department data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) database (2011-2023).
  • Analyzed 904 cases of children and youth aged 17 and younger.
  • Employed descriptive statistics, Joinpoint regression, and proportion ratios to evaluate trends and pandemic impact.

Main Results:

  • Detergent packet incidents were most common in children aged 4 and under (86.5%).
  • Poisonings (58.8%) and eye injuries (30.6%) were the primary diagnoses, often due to unintentional ingestion or packet manipulation.
  • A significant increase in cases was observed post-COVID-19 pandemic onset, with eye injuries showing a marked annual rise.

Conclusions:

  • Detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings represent an ongoing public health challenge in Canada.
  • Enhanced surveillance and targeted prevention initiatives are crucial to mitigate these risks in pediatric populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
Detergent packetDishwasher tabletEmergency departmentEye injuryIngestionInjuryLaundry podPoisoning

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