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Discover Pediatric Collections on COVID-19 and Racism and Its Effects on Pediatric Health

American Academy of Pediatrics
Article

Pediatric Battery-Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 1990–2009

Samantha J. Sharpe, Lynne M. Rochette and Gary A. Smith
Pediatrics June 2012, 129 (6) 1111-1117; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2011-0012
Samantha J. Sharpe
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Lynne M. Rochette
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Gary A. Smith
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the epidemiology of battery-related emergency department (ED) visits among children <18 years of age in the United States.

METHODS: Using a nationally representative sample from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, battery-related ED visits in the United States from 1990 to 2009 were analyzed. Four battery exposure routes for patients were determined from diagnosis codes and case narratives: ingestion, mouth exposure, ear canal insertion, and nasal cavity insertion.

RESULTS: An estimated 65 788 (95% confidence interval: 54 498–77 078) patients <18 years of age presented to US EDs due to a battery-related exposure during the 20-year study period, averaging 3289 battery-related ED visits annually. The average annual battery-related ED visit rate was 4.6 visits per 100 000 children. The number (P < .001) and rate (P = .002) of visits increased significantly during the study period, with substantial increases during the last 8 study years. The mean age was 3.9 years (95% confidence interval: 3.5–4.2), and 60.2% of patients were boys. Battery ingestion accounted for 76.6% of ED visits, followed by nasal cavity insertion (10.2%), mouth exposure (7.5%), and ear canal insertion (5.7%). Button batteries were implicated in 83.8% of patient visits caused by a known battery type. Most children (91.8%) were treated and released from the ED.

CONCLUSIONS: This study evaluated battery-related ED visits among US children using a nationally representative sample. Batteries pose an important hazard to children, especially those ≤5 years of age. The increasing number and rate of battery-related ED visits among children underscore the need for increased prevention efforts.

KEY WORDS
  • battery
  • button battery
  • children
  • foreign body
  • ingestion
  • injury
  • insertion
  • Abbreviations:
    CI —
    confidence interval
    ED —
    emergency department
    NBIH —
    National Battery Ingestion Hotline
    NEISS —
    National Electronic Injury Surveillance System
    • Accepted January 25, 2012.
    • Copyright © 2012 by the American Academy of Pediatrics

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    Pediatrics
    Vol. 129, Issue 6
    1 Jun 2012
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    Pediatric Battery-Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 1990–2009
    Samantha J. Sharpe, Lynne M. Rochette, Gary A. Smith
    Pediatrics Jun 2012, 129 (6) 1111-1117; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-0012

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    Pediatric Battery-Related Emergency Department Visits in the United States, 1990–2009
    Samantha J. Sharpe, Lynne M. Rochette, Gary A. Smith
    Pediatrics Jun 2012, 129 (6) 1111-1117; DOI: 10.1542/peds.2011-0012
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