Sharp-Pointed Foreign Body Ingestion in Pediatric Age

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the clinical complications reported after the ingestion of sharp/pointed foreign bodies (FBs) in pediatric age, their incidence among all FB ingestions, and the features and clinical presentation of children. Study design:We have recruited all consecutive patients aged 0-14 years, admitted for sharp/pointed FB ingestion. Clinical data until hospital discharge were accurately recorded, including both children with esophagogastric FB retention who underwent endoscopic removal and children who were radiologically followed-up till spontaneous FB expulsion. Clinical outcomes were recorded for each patient, with special reference to possible prolonged retention and wall perforation during the intestinal passage. Results:We have enrolled 580 children (males/females: 292/288; age range: 11-180 months; mean age ± standard deviation: 50.5 ± 42 months). Sharp/ pointed FBs mainly included fragments of metal 270 of 580 (46.55%) and glass 180 of 580 (31%). FBs were endoscopically removed in 79 of 580 (13.6%) children whereas the remaining FBs passed through the gastrointestinal tract over an overall mean time of 29 hours. No cases of intestinal perforation nor prolonged retention were observed. In 3 of 65 (4.6%) procedures the endoscopist faced an uncomfortable endoscopic removal due to the shape and size of the FB which hampered the retrograde passage through the esophageal sphincters. Conclusions: Our original and extensive data emphasize that accidental ingestion of sharp/pointed FB ingestion is a current issue in pediatric age, especially in toddlers. Metal and glass objects are the most involved FBs and their endoscopic retrieval may not be easy in about 5% of cases. Fortunately, in our pediatric sample no surgical intervention was needed.

Safety beyond Sight: Handheld Metal Detectors as Diagnostic Allies in the Management of Children Suspected to have Ingested Foreign Bodies

“…Common household items are often involved [1][2][3]. Up to 85% of reported ingestions involve metal foreign bodies, and coins are the most frequently ingested objects, followed by sharp objects (e.g., pins, screws, and nails), button batteries, and magnets [2,[4][5][6]. These objects may become lodged in the esophagus, leading to various symptoms such as drooling, coughing, choking, vomiting, dysphagia, and chest or neck pain [4,7].…”