Peer-reviewed article
Ethnic Differences in Foreign Body Ingestion: Insights Into Social and Epidemiological Aspects.
Abboud N, Abelson N, Qarawani L, Shalev Shamay R, Kogan S et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study compared rates of foreign body ingestion (swallowing) in Jewish and Bedouin children in southern Israel between 2022 and 2023. Bedouin children had higher rates of foreign body ingestion and hospitalisation than Jewish children, with notable differences in what objects were ingested. Cultural practices and socioeconomic disadvantage appear to explain these differences, particularly the higher rates of sharp object ingestion among Bedouin girls.
Key points
- Overall prevalence of foreign body ingestion was 0.15 per 100 children, with Bedouin children at 0.19 per 100 compared to Jewish children at 0.10 per 100
- Bedouin children ingested sharp objects more frequently than Jewish children (33.5% vs. 13.5%), while magnet ingestion was more common among Jewish children (16.6% vs. 3.5%)
- Hospitalisation rates were higher in Bedouin children (52.2%) compared to Jewish children (35.6%)
- Unusually, Bedouin females presented more often than males, potentially linked to cultural practices such as hijab pin use
- Most ingestions involved blunt objects (48.5%), followed by sharp objects (26.7%)
Limitations
This is a retrospective review from a single hospital in one region of Israel over one year, so findings may not generalise to other settings or populations. The study describes associations between ethnicity and foreign body ingestion but does not definitively establish causal mechanisms.
Abstract
Aim Foreign body ingestion (FBI) in children is a worldwide health concern, yet little research has examined the influence of ethnicity and socioeconomic background. This study compared the epidemiology of FBI among Jewish and Bedouin children in southern Israel, two populations with distinct social and economic profiles. Methods A retrospective review was conducted of children presenting with FBI to the emergency department at Saban Children's Hospital between 2022 and 2023. Results A total of 479 children were identified, 53.9% males, with a median age of 6.1 years; 66% were Bedouin. The overall prevalence of FBI was 0.15 per 100 children, with higher rates among Bedouins than Jews (0.19 vs. 0.10 per 100, p < 0.005). Uniquely, Bedouin females presented more often than males. Blunt objects accounted for most ingestions (48.5%), followed by sharp objects (26.7%). Bedouin children ingested sharp objects more frequently than Jews (33.5% vs. 13.5%), while magnet ingestion was more common among Jews (16.6% vs. 3.5%). Hospitalisation was also higher in Bedouins (52.2% vs. 35.6%). Conclusion Bedouin children experienced higher rates of FBI and hospitalisation, likely reflecting socioeconomic disadvantage. Cultural practices, such as hijab pin use, may explain the predominance among Bedouin girls. Targeted education could reduce this burden.