Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

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

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

A systematic review of paediatric foreign body ingestion: presentation, complications, and management

Shruti Jayachandra1, Guy D Eslick

  • 1The Whiteley-Martin Research Centre, Discipline of Surgery, The University of Sydney, Nepean Hospital, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric issue. Batteries and sharp objects require immediate removal, while others may pass spontaneously. Endoscopic removal is highly successful.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a frequent occurrence in children.
  • Harmful ingestions include button batteries, magnets, and bones.
  • Commonly ingested items are household objects like toys, marbles, and erasers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review foreign body ingestion in pediatric populations.
  • To identify common objects ingested, impaction sites, and associated symptoms.
  • To analyze complications, spontaneous passage rates, and removal methods.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, etc.).
  • 17 studies were selected based on strict inclusion and exclusion criteria.
  • A qualitative review identified ingested items, symptoms, complications, passage, and retrieval methods.

Main Results:

  • Coins are the most frequently ingested foreign bodies.
  • Symptoms include gastrointestinal (vomiting, drooling) and respiratory (coughing, stridor).
  • The upper esophagus is the most common obstruction site; gastric/intestinal objects pass more frequently. Batteries and sharp objects pose higher risks of perforation, infection, and death. Endoscopic removal is the primary method.

Conclusions:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a significant pediatric concern.
  • Immediate removal of batteries and sharp objects is crucial.
  • Endoscopy offers a high success rate for foreign body retrieval.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management01:28

Esophageal Perforation-II: Clinical Manifestations and Management

Esophageal perforations manifest in various clinical forms, influenced by factors such as the perforation's cause and location (cervical, intrathoracic, or intra-abdominal), the extent of contamination, and potential injury to adjacent mediastinal structures. The timing between the perforation occurrence and treatment initiation also affects the clinical presentation.
Clinical Manifestations:
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Treatment Strategies

Treatment strategies for poisoning are a critical aspect of emergency medicine, focusing on preventing the absorption of toxins and enhancing their elimination. When a poisoning incident occurs, the first response is to halt exposure and decontaminate the patient, particularly through gastrointestinal (GI) methods if the poison was ingested.Gastrointestinal Decontamination Techniques:Activated charcoal is the cornerstone of GI decontamination. It works through adsorption, binding the toxin to...
Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management01:26

Esophageal Strictures-II: Clinical Features and Management

Patients with esophageal strictures often experience a range of symptoms. Initially, they may have difficulty swallowing solid foods, which can progress to include liquids. Additional symptoms may involve chest pain or discomfort, regurgitating food and fluids, heartburn, unintentional weight loss, coughing or choking during meals, and hoarseness.
Healthcare providers should gather a comprehensive medical history and conduct a physical examination for diagnosis. If esophageal stricture is...
Tonsillitis II: Management01:26

Tonsillitis II: Management

This lesson will focus on the different treatment options for managing tonsillitis, which typically depend on the cause and severity.
Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison01:14

Prevention of Further Absorption of Poison

In cases of acute poisoning, the primary objective is to prevent further absorption of the toxic substance into the body. Immediate interventions using various decontamination techniques targeting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract can achieve this. Decontamination is crucial to prevent poison from entering the systemic circulation, which involves washing affected areas with water and mild soap and removing contaminated clothing. Once external decontamination is done, attention must be turned to...
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios01:26

Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios

Pharmaceutical poisoning can occur through various channels, impacting an estimated 2 million hospitalized patients in the U.S. annually with serious adverse drug responses. These scenarios encompass both therapeutic uses, such as drug toxicity, where even standard dosages can lead to severe central nervous system depression, and non-therapeutic exposures, including accidental ingestion by children, and environmental and occupational exposures.Unintentional poisonings often involve exploratory...