Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 3, 2025
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
"Insert-Coin": A Prospective Study of Coin Ingestion in Children of Southern Italy
Paolo Quitadamo1, Linda Di Napoli2, Federica Lerro2
1Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Santobono-Pausilipon Children's Hospital, Naples, Italy.
Introduction:
Coins are the most commonly ingested foreign bodies. When they get stuck in the distal esophagus, there is no general agreement about the timing of their removal because some of them may spontaneously migrate into the stomach, no longer requiring removal. We aimed at evaluating the gastric spontaneous passage of esophageal-retained coins, as well as complications.
Methods:
Children admitted for coin ingestion were enrolled.
Results:
Eight hundred seven children were enrolled. Among the medium-distal esophageal retained coins, we reported a spontaneous gastric dislocation in 65%, with no further need for endoscopy.
Discussion:
When coins are trapped in the middle/lower esophagus, we suggest withholding the procedure for at least 6-12 hours, especially for older children, because 2/3 pass spontaneously, not requiring endoscopic removal.
