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Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

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Published on: September 11, 2018

Initial location determines spontaneous passage of foreign bodies from the gastrointestinal tract in children

Ji Hyuk Lee1, Jong Seung Lee, Mi Jin Kim

  • 1From the Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.

Pediatric Emergency Care
|April 15, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Most ingested foreign bodies (FBs) in children pass spontaneously, especially when located below the esophagus. Initial location and size are key predictors of spontaneous passage (SP), with most FBs passing within 5 days.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
  • Medical Device Safety

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency.
  • Understanding the natural course of ingested foreign bodies (FBs) is crucial for management decisions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the spontaneous passage (SP) rates and outcomes of ingested foreign bodies in children.
  • To identify factors influencing the spontaneous passage of FBs.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 249 pediatric patients with ingested FBs.
  • Telephone questionnaires used to track spontaneous passage of FBs.
  • Analysis of factors including age, FB type, size, and initial location.

Main Results:

  • Spontaneous passage occurred in 58.2% of cases; endoscopic removal in 40.2%.
  • Initial location significantly impacted SP rates: esophagus (12.2%) vs. colon (96.4%).
  • FB location and size were independent predictors of SP (p<0.0001).

Conclusions:

  • Most ingested FBs in children pass spontaneously without complications.
  • Initial FB location is the primary determinant of spontaneous passage.
  • Even sharp or large FBs can pass spontaneously if located distal to the esophagus.
Abstract

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