Why nut? The aspiration of hazelnuts has become a public health problem among small children in the central and eastern Black Sea regions of Turkey
PEDIATRIC SURGERY INTERNATIONAL, vol.20, no.7, pp.502-504, 2004 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 20 Issue: 7
- Publication Date: 2004
- Doi Number: 10.1007/s00383-004-1224-5
- Journal Name: PEDIATRIC SURGERY INTERNATIONAL
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.502-504
- Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: No
Abstract
Our objective was to determine the significance of hazelnuts as the causative agent in pediatric foreign body aspirations in the main hazelnut production region of the world. We conducted a 10-year retrospective review of patients admitted to the pediatric surgery department in a 900-bed university hospital. Of 135 children with foreign body aspiration, hazelnut aspiration was identified in 35 (26%). All patients were younger than 5 years of age, and 32% of the hazelnut aspirations occurred during late summer, coinciding with the hazelnut harvest. We conclude that hazelnut aspiration is a public health problem in our region in children younger than 5 years of age, particularly during harvest-time. Hazelnut aspiration can be prevented by a well-defined public education program and precautionary measures taken by government and civil organizations.