Childhood deaths from toy balloons
C. A. Ryan, W. Yacoub, T. Paton and D. Avard
Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University of Alberta Hospitals, Edmonton, Canada.
We describe four children who died of suffocation by rubber balloons in
Canada between 1983 and 1988. In the United States, at least 121 children
have died in a similar manner in the 15 years between 1973 and 1988
according to a report by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Although the highest mortality occurred among infants, 30 (25%) of the 121
deaths occurred in children 6 years of age or older. Balloons account for
43% of the approximately 15 childhood deaths related to children's products
that are documented each year by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Toy rubber balloons are thus the leading cause of pediatric choking deaths
from children's products. Preventive efforts should be directed toward a
ban on this type of balloon and the development of safer alternatives.
Meanwhile, public information campaigns should alert parents, physicians,
and policymakers to the dangers of toy rubber balloons.
