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Published on: September 11, 2018
Management of foreign body ingestion in children: experience with 42 cases
Mao-Tsair Lin1, Chun-Yan Yeung, Hung-Chung Lee
1Department of Pediatrics, Mackay Memorial Hospital, No. 92, Sec. 2, Chung Shan North Road, Taipei, Taiwan.
Insights
Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies in children is common, with coins and sharp objects being most frequent. Most cases involved the esophagus, with prompt medical intervention leading to full recovery for all patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Emergency Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Foreign body ingestion is a frequent pediatric emergency.
- Established management guidelines for pediatric foreign body ingestion are lacking.
- This study reviews a decade of cases to inform clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the types and locations of ingested foreign bodies in children.
- To evaluate the clinical presentation and management strategies.
- To identify complications and outcomes associated with foreign body ingestion.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 42 pediatric cases over 10 years.
- Data collection on foreign body type, patient age, symptoms, location, and management.
- Analysis of complications and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- Coins, sharp objects, and bones were the most common foreign bodies.
- The esophagus was the primary location for ingested objects.
- Sixty percent of patients presented with symptoms; 9.5% experienced complications.
Conclusions:
- Foreign body ingestion in children, particularly those under five, requires careful management.
- While complications can occur, conservative management and timely intervention lead to favorable outcomes.
- Further research is needed to establish definitive pediatric foreign body ingestion guidelines.
Abstract:
Ingestion of foreign bodies occurs frequently in children, but there are no definite management guidelines. We reviewed 42 pediatric cases of accidental ingestion of foreign bodies with or without symptoms during the past 10 years. In decreasing order of frequency, the foreign bodies included: coins, sharp objects (needle, pin), bones (fish and chicken bone), metal object, food, seeds, plastic material, magnets, jewelry ring, and others. The majority of children were 5 years old or younger. At the time of presentation, the vast majority of objects were located in the esophagus. Sixty percent of the patients had symptoms, such as abdominal pain, vomiting and cough. Management included observation, esophagoscopy, panendoscopy, and laparotomy. Four patients (9.5%) had complications. One patient who ingested a magnet suffered from esophageal perforation with mediastinitis. Two had deep neck abscess due to esophageal penetration by bones. Another patient had hemorrhagic gastritis after swallowing a coin. All patients discharged after treatment, and none died.
