Glass table tops: An unusual source of lethal domestic injury

A 42-year-old woman who fell through a glass tabletop had her lower back pierced by a long shard of glass. She rapidly exsanguinated. At autopsy, a single penetrating wound was present in her left lower back, with complete transection of her left kidney and a 3.5 L haematoperitoneum. Death was due to exsanguination following accidental transection of the left kidney by a penetrating glass injury of the lower back. Glass-topped tables are a well-recognised source of injury in a domestic setting There are far more non-lethal than lethal injuries, many of which involve children. Quite long shards may remain undetected in wounds for considerable amounts of time. Non-tempered glass is a particular risk for breakage. Glass-topped tables should not be used as substitutes for chairs, particularly in overweight or obese individuals.

Pattern and risk factors for childhood injuries in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Background

Injuries contribute to morbidity and mortality in children. This study was carried out to describe the pattern of childhood injuries and associated risk factors in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Methods

This case control study was conducted in six selected health facilities in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Cases and controls were children below 18 years who had suffered injuries and those without injury associated condition respectively.

Results

A total of 492 cases and 492 controls were included in the study, falls (32%), burns (26%), Road Traffic Injuries (14%) and cuts (10%) were the major types of injuries identified. Younger parents/guardians {Adjusted odds ratio (AOR)= 1.4; 95% CI: 1.4 -3.6}, more than six people in the same house (AOR= 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3–2.6), more than three children in the house {AOR= 1.4; 95% CI (1.0–2.0)}, absence of parent/guardian at time of injury occurrence (AOR= 1.6; 95% CI: 1.1–2.3), middle socio-economic (AOR=1.6; 95%CI: 1.1–2.4) and low socio-economic status (AOR= 1.5; 95% CI: 1.0–2.1) were independent risk factors for childhood injury.

Conclusion

Falls, burns and road traffic injuries were the main injury types in this study. Inadequate supervision, overcrowding, lower socio-economic status and low maternal age were significant risk factors for childhood injuries.

Magnet Injuries in Children: An Analysis of the National Poison Data System from 2008 to 2019

OBJECTIVE

To examine, using the National Poison Data System (the data warehouse for poison control centers in the US), magnet foreign body injuries in pediatric patients. We sought to report demographic data, outcome data, and case trends between 2008 and 2019.

STUDY DESIGN

We conducted a retrospective analysis of the National Poison Data System for patients younger than 19 years of age with a magnet "exposure," which poison centers define as an ingestion, inhalation, injection, or dermal exposure to a poison.

RESULTS

A total of 5738 magnet exposures were identified. Most were male (3169; 55%), <6 years old (3572; 62%), with an unintentional injury (4828; 84%). There were 222 patients (3.9%) with a confirmed medical "effect," defined as signs, symptoms, and clinical findings not including therapeutic interventions (eg, endoscopy). There was a 33% decrease in cases from 418 (2008-2011) to 281 per year (2012-2017) after high-powered magnet sets were removed from the market. Calls subsequently increased 444% to 1249 per year (2018-2019) after high-powered magnet sets re-entered the market. Cases from 2018 and 2019 increased across all age groups and account for 39% of magnet cases since 2008.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant increases in magnet injuries correspond to time periods in which high-powered magnet sets were sold, including a 444% increase since 2018. These results reflect the increased need for preventative or legislative efforts.

[A focal abdominal swelling after an accident with a 'space scooter']

A 7-year-old boy presents at the Emergency Department with an abdominal swelling after an accident with a space scooter. He was diagnosed with a traumatic anterior abdominal wall hernia, for which he underwent surgical correction.