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Updated: Apr 17, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
[Gastrointestinal foreign body in children]
Insights
Endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies (FB) in children is a safe and effective procedure. Early endoscopy is crucial for preventing serious injury, especially with esophageal FBs.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Endoscopic Procedures
- Emergency Medicine
Context:
- Gastrointestinal foreign bodies (FB) are common in emergency departments, particularly in children.
- Esophageal foreign bodies represent the most frequent presentation.
Purpose:
- To characterize pediatric patients undergoing endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal FBs.
- To describe the types and locations of FBs removed and associated symptoms.
Summary:
- A retrospective review of 51 children (average age 4 years) who underwent endoscopy for FB removal was conducted.
- Coins were the most common FB (57%), predominantly in the esophagus (91%). Drooling and dysphagia were primary symptoms.
- Endoscopic extraction was successful with no complications, though some mucosal lesions were noted.
Impact:
- Endoscopic removal of pediatric gastrointestinal FBs is a safe intervention.
- Highlights the importance of timely endoscopic intervention for esophageal FBs.
- Emphasizes the need for standardized management protocols and preventative strategies.
Unlabelled:
Gastrointestinal foreign bodies (FB) are frequent complaints in the emergency departments, with esophageal foreign bodies as the most frequent cases. Symptoms are varied and depend on the location of the FB, with several techniques available for removal.
Objective:
To describe the FB removed by endoscopy in children as well as the consulting population characteristics.
Patients And Method:
Patient chart reviews of those who, during the last six years, underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy were performed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data.
Results:
51 patients, 28 males and 23 females, with average age of four years old, underwent endoscopy due to FB intake. The most common symptoms were drooling (45%) and dysphagia (35%); the FBs were extracted mostly under general anesthesia. Coins were the most common foreign bodies found (57%) and they were mainly located in the esophagus (91%). All bodies were extracted by direct endoscopy or endoscopically assisted extraction; lesions that corresponded to erosions were found in 19 (37%) patients and ulcers in 4 (8%). There were no complications.
Conclusions:
Endoscopic removal of gastrointestinal FBs is a safe procedure. Given the risk of serious injury, especially in foreign bodies in the esophagus, performing endoscopy within a reasonable time must always be considered. Management protocols are necessary to unify the standards of those working in emergency rooms, having in mind that the most important strategy is prevention.
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