Between 2004 and 2005, there were nearly 144,800 children who were injured from the use of medical devices. These injuries were serious enough for the children to be taken to an emergency room. Many of these injuries involved the use of contact lenses, but a number of other injuries were caused because of malfunctioning cardiac and gynecology devices, needless shunts and other devices.

Those facts come from a study conducted by the Food and Drug Administration, into the prevalence of medical device-related injuries among children.  This is the first study conducted into injuries from the use of medical devices among children. California product liability lawyers  believe there was  a need for a study like this, because of the higher number of children with chronic illnesses and conditions who now receive the treatment they need right at home.  Home care has numerous benefits for a sick child, but it may also cause complications when devices malfunction, or parents and caregivers are unable to use these properly.  There are also other challenges, because many sophisticated medical devices that were meant to be used on adults are also currently being used for children.

Most injuries include infections and abrasions from contact lenses that have not been cleaned properly.  There are other common issues, include tears during gynecological examinations, infections in children with ear tubes, and puncture wounds from needles breaking.  There are also injuries caused from pediatric infusion pumps, brain shunts and chest catheters.

More facts and figures from study:

• The researchers found approximately 34,000 contact lens-related injuries in the children.
• The data came from hospital ER figures and included around 100 hospitals.
• These medical device-related injuries resulted in 6% of the children having to be hospitalized.

The researchers are planning further study into how and why these injuries occurred.  If they come up with strong explanations, they may even place restrictions on the use of certain medical devices in children and teenagers.