Big drop in child surgery for objects swallowed or stuck up nose

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr52g1pjznno

Summary

UK hospitals report a 30% drop in surgeries for children swallowing/inserting foreign objects (2013-2023). Researchers believe the rise of cashless payments, reducing coin availability in homes, is a major factor. While coin-related incidents fell, cases involving magnets and button batteries increased, raising new concerns due to their potential for serious harm. Public awareness campaigns emphasizing keeping small objects out of reach and seeking immediate medical attention are crucial. Continued monitoring and research are needed to address emerging risks and improve prevention strategies.

Full News Report

Here's the article: **Big Drop in Child Surgery for Objects Swallowed or Stuck Up Nose: Cashless Society May Be a Factor** **LONDON, UK –** Hospitals across the United Kingdom have reported a significant, and welcome, big drop in the number of children requiring surgery for foreign objects swallowed or lodged in their noses over the past decade. Surgeons and pediatricians believe the rise of cashless payment methods and the consequent reduction in coins circulating in households may be a contributing factor to this positive trend. The data, collected from several major children’s hospitals nationwide, shows a decrease of nearly 30% in surgical interventions related to ingested or inserted objects in children under the age of 10 between 2013 and 2023. While multiple factors are likely at play, the diminished availability of small coins, traditionally a common source of choking hazards and nasal obstructions, is emerging as a potential key driver of this decline. **What's Happening? A Deeper Dive into the Data** The Royal College of Surgeons, which compiled and analyzed the data from various hospitals, highlighted the consistent downward trend. "We've seen a noticeable reduction in the number of emergency surgeries required to remove foreign objects from children," explains Dr. Emily Carter, lead researcher on the project. "While our data doesn’t establish a direct causal link, the correlation with the increasing adoption of cashless transactions is compelling. Coins, buttons, small toys, and food items were among the most frequently retrieved objects, but the proportion of coin-related incidents has noticeably decreased." This reduction isn’t uniform across all types of ingested or inserted objects. While coin-related incidents have plummeted, there has been a slight increase in cases involving small magnets, button batteries, and small pieces of toys, raising new concerns for parents and healthcare providers. The researchers emphasized the importance of continuous monitoring and public awareness campaigns to address these evolving risks. **Why the Concern about Foreign Objects?** The presence of foreign objects in a child's body can lead to a range of complications, depending on the object, its location, and the duration it remains lodged. Ingested objects can cause choking, esophageal obstruction, stomach irritation, and, in rare cases, perforation of the digestive tract. Objects inserted into the nose can lead to infections, nasal irritation, difficulty breathing, and, if left untreated, potentially more serious complications. "The younger the child, the higher the risk," Dr. Carter emphasizes. "Infants and toddlers are naturally curious and explore their environment by putting things in their mouths and noses. Their smaller airways also make them more vulnerable to choking." Surgery is typically considered a last resort, but it becomes necessary when other methods, such as using specialized tools to retrieve the object through the nose or esophagus, fail, or when there is a risk of serious complications. **The Rise of the Cashless Society: A Silver Lining for Child Safety?** The UK, like many developed nations, has witnessed a dramatic shift towards cashless payments in recent years. Contactless payments, mobile wallets, and online banking have become increasingly prevalent, reducing the reliance on physical cash, particularly coins, in everyday transactions. This trend has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw a surge in contactless payments due to hygiene concerns. While the primary drivers of this shift are convenience and efficiency, the reduction in coin-related incidents among children suggests an unintended positive consequence. With fewer coins readily available in homes, children have less opportunity to access and ingest them. **How Are Hospitals Addressing the Problem?** Despite the big drop in overall cases, hospitals continue to be vigilant in addressing foreign object ingestion and insertion in children. The approach typically involves a combination of diagnostic imaging, such as X-rays, and endoscopic procedures to visualize and remove the object. "Our primary goal is to remove the object safely and efficiently while minimizing discomfort and risk to the child," explains Dr. David Lee, a pediatric surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital. "We have specialized equipment and trained personnel to handle these situations, but prevention is always the best approach." Hospitals also play a crucial role in educating parents and caregivers about the risks of foreign object ingestion and insertion. This includes providing information on age-appropriate toys, safe food preparation practices, and the importance of keeping small objects out of reach of young children. **What about the Rise of Other Foreign Objects?** While the decline in coin-related incidents is encouraging, the increasing prevalence of other foreign objects, such as small magnets and button batteries, presents new challenges. Button batteries, in particular, pose a significant risk due to their potential to cause serious burns within the esophagus if swallowed. The battery's electrochemical reaction with saliva can create a highly alkaline environment, leading to tissue damage within hours. Small magnets, often found in toys and building sets, can also be dangerous if multiple magnets are swallowed. They can attract each other through the intestinal walls, potentially causing bowel obstruction, perforation, or even sepsis. “The rise of these newer foreign objects is worrying. We need to ensure parents are aware of the particular dangers of button batteries and magnets, and that toy safety regulations keep pace with innovation," says Dr. Carter. **Public Awareness Campaigns: A Key Prevention Strategy** The Royal College of Surgeons and other healthcare organizations are actively involved in public awareness campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of foreign object ingestion and insertion in children. These campaigns typically involve a combination of online resources, social media outreach, and educational materials distributed through hospitals and clinics. Key messages include: * **Keep small objects out of reach of children:** This includes coins, buttons, batteries, magnets, small toys, and jewelry. * **Supervise children closely during playtime:** Ensure that toys are age-appropriate and that children are not playing with small objects unsupervised. * **Cut food into small, manageable pieces:** This is particularly important for young children who are still developing their chewing skills. * **Be aware of the symptoms of foreign object ingestion or insertion:** These may include choking, coughing, difficulty breathing, drooling, vomiting, and pain in the chest or abdomen. * **Seek immediate medical attention if you suspect your child has swallowed or inserted a foreign object.** **Looking Ahead: Continued Monitoring and Research** The big drop in child surgery for swallowed or inserted objects represents a significant positive trend in pediatric healthcare. However, it is crucial to continue monitoring the situation and conducting research to understand the underlying factors and identify emerging risks. Future research could focus on: * Investigating the direct correlation between cashless payment adoption and foreign object ingestion/insertion rates. * Identifying specific types of toys and products that pose the greatest risk to children. * Developing more effective strategies for preventing foreign object ingestion and insertion. * Improving diagnostic and treatment methods for foreign object removal. By continuing to monitor the data, raise public awareness, and invest in research, healthcare professionals and policymakers can work together to further reduce the risk of foreign object-related injuries in children and ensure their safety and well-being. The reduction of coin availability, even indirectly, highlights how societal shifts can surprisingly impact public health outcomes, reinforcing the importance of ongoing observation and adaptation in preventative medicine. The focus now shifts to addressing the emerging threats posed by other easily accessible small objects.