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Published on: September 11, 2018
Recent trends in foreign body ingestion (FBI) epidemiology: A national cohort study
Cecilia Mantegazza1, Francesca Destro2, Simona Ferraro1
1Department of Pediatrics, Vittore Buzzi Children's Hospital, University of Milan, Milan, Italy.
Insights
Foreign body ingestion (FBI) in children remains stable, predominantly occurring at home in young children. Preventive measures are crucial to reduce these common pediatric emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion (FBI) is a significant pediatric health concern.
- Understanding the epidemiology of FBI in children is vital for targeted prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of foreign body ingestion in children across Italy.
- To analyze trends and risk factors associated with pediatric FBI.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of children under 18 admitted for FBI from 2015-2020.
- Data collected from 21 Italian hospitals with pediatric endoscopy services.
- Population normalization by municipality to assess incidence rates.
Main Results:
- 5,771 FBI cases analyzed; stable incidence observed over time, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Most ingestions occurred at home (94.7%) in children under 6 years (74.3%).
- Blunt objects were most common (65.5%); button batteries in young males, hair products/jewelry in females; 24% required endoscopic removal.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric foreign body ingestion rates are stable, primarily affecting young, healthy children in domestic settings.
- Findings highlight the need for enhanced preventive strategies to mitigate risks.
- Consistent trends underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance and public health initiatives.
Background And Aims:
Foreign body ingestion (FBI) in children is a critical health concern. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of FBI in children in Italy.
Methods:
We retrospectively enrolled children <18 years admitted for FBI from January 2015 to December 2020. Data were collected across 21 hospitals with dedicated pediatric endoscopy services and normalized by the population of the corresponding municipalities.
Results:
A total of 5,771 FBI cases were analyzed. FBI incidents showed consistent time trends across age groups, with most events occurring at home and being witnessed (94.7 %). Children <6 years accounted for 74.3 % of cases. Comorbidities were present in 5.3 % of cases, primarily neurologic/psychiatric disorders in older children (6-17 years). Blunt objects accounted for 65.5 % of ingestions. Young males commonly ingested button batteries, while females showed higher rates of ingesting hair products and jewelry. Most children were discharged (60 %) or observed briefly (75 % of total admissions), with endoscopic removal performed in 24 % of cases.
Conclusions:
Rates of FBI have remained stable over the years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. FBI predominantly occurs in domestic settings among healthy young children, particularly those ≤5 years old. These findings emphasize the need for preventive measures to reduce the impact of FBI among children.
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