Foreign Body Ingestion in Children: A Case Report and Management Strategies

Abstract

Introduction: Foreign body ingestion in children is a common pediatric emergency that can result in serious complications if not managed promptly. Observation: it is a case report of an 18-month-old infant who ingested a knife while playing with his 3-year-old sister. The patient was stable but required a surgical approach due to the size of the object and the risk of esophageal injury during removal. Discussion: Children between 6 months to 3 years are at the highest risk for foreign body ingestion. The most common foreign bodies ingested by children are small objects such as coins, toys, magnets, button batteries, and small parts of other objects. Symptoms can vary depending on the type and location of the foreign body and can range from choking, difficulty breathing, and vomiting to blood in stool or vomit and fever. Sharp and elongated objects, as well as batteries and magnets, can cause life-threatening complications such as airway obstruction, esophageal perforation, or bowel obstruction. The approach to management depends on the type and location of the foreign body, and preventing foreign body ingestion in children is critical to avoiding the need for management. Various measures, such as keeping small objects out of reach, providing age-appropriate toys, and supervising young children during playtime, can be implemented to prevent foreign body ingestion in children. Conclusion: Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency that can lead to serious complications if not managed promptly. Prevention is key in reducing the incidence of foreign body ingestion in children.