Subgroup Analysis According to Age
The younger age-group, age <4 years, comprised 328 patients,
representing 58% of the cohort. The older age-group, age> 4 years, comprised 237 patients, representing 42%
of the cohort. No differences were found between these age-groups in the
male-to-female ratio; or in the proportions with comorbidities, anterior
versus posterior insertions, right-side versus left-side insertions, or
treatment with antibiotics (Table 3). A statistically significant
difference was found between the groups in the nature of the NFB. In
children under age 4 years, 39% of NFB were organic, compared to only
19% in older children (OR=2.75, p<0.001). Younger patients
were also more likely to insert NFB into the right nostril (OR=1.43,
p=0.04). In older children, magnets and buttons were more common
(OR=3.3, p=0.03), as well as non-organic substances, although not
significant., as were magnets and buttons, Older patients were admitted
earlier to the ED, within the first 24 hours (OR=1.9, p=0.03). Other
differences, without statistical significance, were observed between the
age groups (Table 3 and Figure 1). Younger compared to older children
were more likely to present with nasal discharge (14% vs 8%) and were
less likely to undergo general anesthesia (2.8% vs 5.5%).
Characteristics of the patients according to age group are presented in
table 3 and in figure 1.