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Ethnic Differences in Foreign Body Ingestion: Insights Into Social and Epidemiological Aspects
Nadine Abboud1,2, Nitzan Abelson2,3, Leon Qarawani2
1Pediatric Gastrointestinal Unit, Saban Children's Hospital, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
Insights
Foreign body ingestion (FBI) is more common in Bedouin children, particularly females, and sharp object ingestions are higher in this group. Socioeconomic factors likely contribute to these disparities, suggesting a need for targeted prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric emergency medicine
- Public health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion (FBI) is a significant global pediatric health issue.
- Limited research exists on the impact of ethnicity and socioeconomic status on FBI.
- Understanding these disparities is crucial for effective public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the epidemiology of FBI between Jewish and Bedouin children in southern Israel.
- To investigate the influence of distinct social and economic profiles on FBI rates and characteristics.
- To identify specific risk factors and patterns of FBI within these populations.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pediatric FBI cases at a tertiary care hospital.
- Data collected from 2022 to 2023.
- Analysis of demographic, object type, and hospitalization data.
Main Results:
- Higher FBI prevalence (0.19 vs. 0.10 per 100 children) and hospitalization rates (52.2% vs. 35.6%) were observed in Bedouin children.
- Bedouin children had increased ingestion of sharp objects (33.5% vs. 13.5%), while Jewish children more frequently ingested magnets (16.6% vs. 3.5%).
- Bedouin females presented with FBI more often than males, a unique finding.
Conclusions:
- Socioeconomic disadvantage likely contributes to higher FBI rates and hospitalizations among Bedouin children.
- Cultural factors, such as hijab pin use, may explain the higher incidence in Bedouin girls.
- Targeted health education programs are recommended to reduce the burden of pediatric FBI.
Aim:
Foreign body ingestion (FBI) in children is a worldwide health concern, yet little research has examined the influence of ethnicity and socioeconomic background. This study compared the epidemiology of FBI among Jewish and Bedouin children in southern Israel, two populations with distinct social and economic profiles.
Methods:
A retrospective review was conducted of children presenting with FBI to the emergency department at Saban Children's Hospital between 2022 and 2023.
Results:
A total of 479 children were identified, 53.9% males, with a median age of 6.1 years; 66% were Bedouin. The overall prevalence of FBI was 0.15 per 100 children, with higher rates among Bedouins than Jews (0.19 vs. 0.10 per 100, p < 0.005). Uniquely, Bedouin females presented more often than males. Blunt objects accounted for most ingestions (48.5%), followed by sharp objects (26.7%). Bedouin children ingested sharp objects more frequently than Jews (33.5% vs. 13.5%), while magnet ingestion was more common among Jews (16.6% vs. 3.5%). Hospitalisation was also higher in Bedouins (52.2% vs. 35.6%).
Conclusion:
Bedouin children experienced higher rates of FBI and hospitalisation, likely reflecting socioeconomic disadvantage. Cultural practices, such as hijab pin use, may explain the predominance among Bedouin girls. Targeted education could reduce this burden.
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