Injuries Associated With Bottles, Pacifiers, and Sippy Cups in the United States, 1991–2010

Abstract

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Previous research on injuries related to bottle, pacifier, and sippy cup use has largely focused on case reports of infant injuries or fatalities attributed to pacifiers or pacifier parts causing asphyxiation or to bottle warming causing burns. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This study is the first to use a nationally representative sample to investigate the range of injuries requiring emergency department visits associated with bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups among children aged ,3 years. abstract OBJECTIVE: To describe the epidemiology of injuries related to bottles, pacifiers, and sippy cups among young children in the United States. METHODS:A retrospective analysis was conducted by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for children ,3 years of age treated in emergency departments (1991)(1992)(1993)(1994)(1995)(1996)(1997)(1998)(1999)(2000)(2001)(2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010) for an injury associated with a bottle, pacifier, or sippy cup.RESULTS: An estimated 45 398 (95% confidence interval: 38 770-52 026) children aged ,3 years were treated in emergency departments for injuries related to these products during the study period, an average of 2270 cases per year. Most injuries involved bottles (65.8%), followed by pacifiers (19.9%) and sippy cups (14.3%). The most common mechanism was a fall while using the product (86.1% of injuries). Lacerations comprised the most common diagnosis (70.4%), and the most frequently injured body region was the mouth (71.0%). One-yearold children were injured most often. Children who were aged 1 or 2 years were nearly 2.99 times (95% confidence interval: 2.07-4.33) more likely to sustain a laceration compared with any other diagnosis. Product malfunctions were relatively uncommon (4.4% of cases).CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to use a nationally representative sample to examine injuries associated with these products. Given the number of injuries, particularly those associated with falls while using the product, greater efforts are needed to promote proper usage, ensure safety in product design, and increase awareness of American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendations for transitioning to a cup and discontinuing pacifier use.

Nursery Product-Related Injuries Treated in United States Emergency Departments

“…10 Few studies have evaluated injuries associated with multiple classes of nursery products among infants and children, including 1 small study in a non-US population. 11 Most previous epidemiologic studies focus on injuries associated with 1 or several products in a single product class, such as strollers, 12 -14 cribs, 15 baby walkers, 16 -20 and baby bottles, 21 using both regional and national data.…”

Energy contribution from non-breastmilk items in low-income Guatemalan infantsin their sixth month of life

“…In the United States, for instance, it is estimated that over 29 000 infants and toddlers receive injuries associated with baby bottles, most commonly from falls while bottle-feeding. 51 Our study has acknowledged strengths and limitations. It emanates from a prospective protocol, using standardized interviewers and detailed questioning about intake, combined with accessing the reported brands and reviewing their ingredient labels.…”