Ocular Burns from Laundry Detergent Pods on the Rise in Preschoolers

Exposure to laundry detergent pods is a poison danger for young children (NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jan 2015 and Pediatrics 2014; 134:1127; NEJM JW Pediatr Adolesc Med Jun 2016 and Pediatrics 2016 May; 137:e20154529). Using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, researchers estimated the incidence of chemical ocular burns from laundry detergent pods in preschoolers (age 3–4 years) presenting to U.S. emergency departments.

From 2010 to 2015, a total of 1201 preschoolers had ocular burns from detergent pod exposures, 85% of which occurred at home. The number of these injuries increased from 12 in 2012 to 480 in 2015, accounting for 1% and 26% of all chemical ocular burns in this age group, respectively. In most cases, …