Foreign bodies during childhood – epidemiology and correlation analysis with hyperkinetic disorders

Introduction:

Children and infants present regularly with foreign bodies in nose and ear in the emergency room. Due to the risk of aspiration and serious inflammation an immediate treatment is necessary. In this study, we analyze the epidemiological characteristics in children with foreign body. The focus is on hyperkinetic disorders.

Methods:

In collaboration with the AOK Nordost health insurance company, all cases of policy holders treated with the diagnoses T16 (foreign body in ear); T17 (foreign body in nasal sinus); T17.1 (foreign body in nostril) and F90.x (Hyperkinetic disorders) within the period January 2006 to March 2015 were included.

Treatment date of the foreign body removal, age at treatment, sex, date of first diagnosis of a hyperkinetic disorder and possible recurrent treatments for foreign bodies were analyzed.

Results:

In the evaluation period, 12887 children (m: 6609/f:6278) were treated with a foreign body in nose or ear. In 1815 cases (14,1%), a hyperkinetic disorder was present as well. The mean age of all children at time of foreign body removal was 5,91 years. Boys were with a mean age of 5,70 years younger than girls with a mean age of 6,14 years. The initial diagnosis of a hyperkinetic disorder was made at a mean age of 6,26 years.

Conclusions:

The prevalence of hyperkinetic disorders in our examination group is with a rate of 14,1% much higher than in the standard population with a rate of 2 percent. Especially children presenting with recurrent foreign bodies, a possible hyperkinetic disorder should be kept in mind.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)