Social, Emotional and Behavioral Problems in Children With Foreign Body Ingestion: A Case Control Study.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the social, emotional, and behavioral status between the patients aged 1 to 4 years with foreign body ingestion and healthy individuals.

METHODS

A case control study was conducted in a tertiary level hospital over 32 months. Children, aged 1-4 years, admitted to the pediatric emergency department with foreign body ingestion were included as cases. Patients with known autism spectrum disorders, cerebral palsy and incomplete evaluation were excluded. A matched control group constituted healthy individuals. Both groups were evaluated with Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC) and Brief Infant-Toddler Social Emotional Assessment (BITSEA) scales. Logistic regression was performed to determine the predictors of foreign body ingestion.

RESULTS

Cases and controls included 150 children each. All ABC subscale scores (mean irritability, hyperactivity/dissonance, lethargy/social withdrawal, stereotypical behavior, and inappropriate speech) and problem area scores of BITSEA were significantly higher in the cases (P < 0.001). Hyperactivity was significantly predictive of foreign body ingestion [OR (95% CI) 1.37 (1.21, 1.55), P < 0.001].

CONCLUSION

Younger children with foreign body ingestion screened significantly higher for behavioral and emotional problems compared to controls. Hyperactivity was an important predictor factor for foreign body aspiration.