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Airway obstruction - injury statistics and incidence rates
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The following statistics are the latest available from the National Safe Kids Campaign: |
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Injury and death rates |
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The majority (80 percent) of children who died from airway obstruction injuries in 1999 were children ages 4 and under.
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A total of 776 children ages 14 and under died in 1999 from airway obstructions:
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More than 569 children died from suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment (in household appliances and toy chests).
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Almost 197 children died from choking (food and nonfood).
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In 2000, sixchildren, ages 4 and under, died from choking on a toy or toy parts (half of which were balloons). In addition, three childes died from toy-related suffocation.
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On average, 5,000 children, ages 14 and under, are treated in hospital emergency rooms for airway obstruction due to toys and toy parts annually. The majority of these children (75 percent) are ages 4 and under. |
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Where and when |
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- Most airway obstructions in children occur at home.
- Suffocation is more common in the summer, while choking is more common in the winter.
- Children most often choke on food items.
- Balloons are the most common cause of toy-related choking death among children of all ages.
- The majority of infant suffocation tends to occur where they sleep (60 percent).
- Strangulation by window blind or drapery cords most often occurs when the cord hangs near the floor or crib. The majority of children who strangle by window covering cords are ages 3 or under.
- More than half of drawstring strangulations (i.e., on the hood or neck of a jacket) occur when they become entangled on playground slides.
- Since 1990, at least 57 children have died because they became entrapped in bunk beds.
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Who |
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- The age group that is most at risk for all forms of airway obstruction is ages 4 and under.
- Boys, low-income, and Caucasian children are at increased risk for airway obstruction.
- Children who sleep in adult beds are at increased risk for airway obstruction.
- Since 1990, 209 children, ages 2 and under, have died in adult beds from accidental smothering by another person laying on them.
- Since 1990, 296 children, ages 2 and under, died in adult beds due to entrapment in the bed structure.
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