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Ingested foreign bodies causing complications and requiring hospitalization in European children: results from the

Dario Gregori1, Cecilia Scarinzi, Bruno Morra

  • 1Department of Public Health and Microbiology, University of Torino, Torino, Italy. dario.gregori@unito.it

Pediatrics International : Official Journal of the Japan Pediatric Society
|May 8, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Foreign bodies (FB) in the aerodigestive tract are common in young children. Coins, batteries, and fish bones are frequent culprits, necessitating awareness and education for parents to prevent complications.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Aerodigestive tract foreign bodies (FB) pose a significant risk to children aged 1-3 years.
  • Understanding patient, FB, and accident characteristics is crucial for managing complications and hospitalization duration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the risk factors for complications and prolonged hospitalization in pediatric aerodigestive tract foreign body cases.
  • To identify common foreign body types and patient demographics associated with adverse outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study involving 186 cases of upper digestive tract foreign bodies (mouth, esophagus, stomach) across 19 European hospitals.
  • Data collected on patient age, gender, foreign body type, accident circumstances, and hospitalization details.

Main Results:

  • 164 out of 186 children required hospitalization; 14 experienced complications, with no reported deaths.
  • Male patients constituted 61% of hospitalizations. The median age for children with complications was 2 years.
  • Coins, batteries, and fish bones were the most common foreign bodies. Esophagoscopy was the primary removal method, often managed by ENT departments.

Conclusions:

  • Coins, batteries, and fish bones are prevalent foreign bodies requiring parental vigilance.
  • The increasing use of disk-type batteries highlights a critical hazard, underscoring the need for public education campaigns.
Abstract

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