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Published on: September 11, 2018

Foreign Body Ingestion in Children: From a Harmless Incident to a Life-Threatening Emergency

Maria-Delia Mihailov1,2, Ioana-Cristina Olariu1,3, Vlad Laurențiu David1,4

  • 1Faculty of Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300011 Timisoara, Romania.

Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Accidental foreign body ingestion in children is common, but dangerous objects like button batteries require immediate removal. Prompt medical attention at specialized centers is crucial for potentially life-threatening cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Foreign body ingestion is a frequent pediatric emergency.
  • Certain ingested objects, including button batteries, magnets, and sharp items, pose significant risks, potentially leading to life-threatening complications.
  • Timely intervention in specialized centers is critical for managing these emergencies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current data on the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of foreign body ingestion in children.
  • To identify emergency situations requiring immediate intervention.
  • To provide a guide for appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature review was conducted.
  • The review focused on identifying recent evidence regarding foreign body ingestion in pediatric populations.
  • Analysis included epidemiological data, clinical and imaging diagnostic methods, and therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • The urgency of intervention depends on the ingested object's type, location, and associated symptoms.
  • Specific case analyses highlight critical scenarios requiring prompt management.
  • The review emphasizes the importance of early recognition and specialized care.

Conclusions:

  • Foreign body ingestion in children necessitates a thorough understanding of associated risks and appropriate management protocols.
  • Preventive measures and caregiver education are vital to reduce the incidence of dangerous ingestions.
  • Adherence to specialized diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines ensures optimal patient outcomes.

Keywords:
button batterychildrencomplicationsendoscopyforeign bodyforeign body managementimagingingestionmagnetspediatric emergency

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