B737-800
Flight Attendant Current
Flight Attendant Total 22
Physiological - Other
Aircraft Equipment Problem Less Severe; Flight Deck / Cabin / Aircraft Event Illness / Injury
General Physical Injury / Incapacitation
Aircraft; Human Factors
A twelve month old baby almost severed his finger under the armrest in which the mother was seated. About 15 minutes into the flight; the passenger notified the 'A' Flight Attendant of the incident. They then paged for any medical personal onboard; and there was no reply. This notified the rest of us to come and assist. We wrapped the baby's finger with gauze from the first aid kit and applied ice bags until we could land. The mother and child were moved to the front row for landing and paramedics met the aircraft. They were taken off immediately upon arrival at the gate. This is my second experience with this exact injury within the last 3 months. The first incident was not as extreme. I believe the first incident was on the new interior. I wanted to bring this to your attention because it may have something to do with the new interior armrests. As we switched planes; we then discovered that it had happened on another flight coming at another time. That was information from an operations agent. So I know of at least 3 times this has happened in the last few months. The father called her the next day and informed us that child was in surgery. They could not just stitch his finger up; and the result was surgery. I have been flying 22 years and have never had this happen until now. Maybe something has changed with the design of the armrest or the seat; but someone needs to be aware of the incidences that are occurring.
A child's finger was nearly severed by the arm rest of his mother's B737-800 passenger seat.