ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: We used two balance assessment devices, computerized dynamic posturography (CDP) and Swaystar transducers to detect subtle balance system deficits in nine subjects who had ingested minimal amounts of alcohol. DESIGN: Nine subjects were evaluated with both modalities before, and repetitively after, ingesting a small amount of alcohol. METHODS: We measured condition 5 (sway referenced platform; eyes closed) on CDP and tandem walking with eyes closed while wearing Swaystar to see if either test could detect a balance deficit. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured total sway amplitude with eyes closed in pitch and roll planes during tandem walking with Swaystar, and static balance scores of CDP sensory organization testing condition 5 before and after alcohol ingestion at 20 min intervals. RESULTS: Although there was no detectable deficit measurable by CDP, eight of our nine subjects showed increased dynamic sway as measured by Swaystar, after alcohol ingestion. Total sway was significantly greater (p=.05) after alcohol ingestion. CONCLUSION: It is important to assess dynamic, rather than static, equilibrium as it may have potential in detecting very subtle balance deficits.
Subject(s)
Alcoholic Intoxication/physiopathology , Central Nervous System Depressants/pharmacology , Ethanol/pharmacology , Gait/drug effects , Postural Balance/drug effects , Adult , Central Nervous System Depressants/administration & dosage , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Ethanol/administration & dosage , Female , Humans , Male , Metabolic Clearance Rate , Task Performance and AnalysisABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to (1) examine recent trends in the demographics and presentation of children with foreign body aspiration at British Columbia's Children's Hospital and (2) develop safety guidelines regarding feeding nuts and other hard, crunchy foods to infants and toddlers. METHODS: The methods used were a retrospective chart review and a review of swallowing mechanics in early childhood. RESULTS: Between July 1997 and July 2001, 51 children under 3 years of age underwent rigid bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body aspiration. Of these patients, 27 (53%) were 18 months of age or younger. Of these 27 infants and toddlers, 24 (89%) had a witnessed choking event and 22 (81%) had an airway foreign body. Nuts, raw carrots, and popcorn kernels accounted for 14 (64%) of the foreign bodies aspirated by these infants and toddlers. Before 2 years of age, children are poorly equipped to grind and swallow hard, crunchy food because they lack second molars and are still adjusting to the descent of the larynx. CONCLUSIONS: Infants and toddlers in British Columbia have been aspirating foreign bodies at an alarmingly high rate. Most cases would have been prevented with better public awareness. Caregivers should be informed that children under 3 years of age should never be fed nuts or other hard, crunchy foods. A public awareness campaign is warranted.
