Foreign body in upper digestive tract

Indian J Pediatr. 2004 Aug;71(8):689-93. doi: 10.1007/BF02730655.

Abstract

Objective: Foreign body ingestion is a common clinical problem, encountered in children.

Methods: A total number of 104 patients with ingested foreign body admitted in our hospital are reviewed. Endoscopic removal was done for all foreign objects impacted in esophagus.

Result: In 84.6% cases, history of having swallowed the foreign body was most common symptom. Majority of patients (61.53%) presented within 24 hours after ingestion of foreign body. Coins were the most frequent offending agents in children (87.5%). Seventy six cases of coins were impacted in the postcricoid region. Complications of retropharyngeal abscess was seen in two cases (1.92%), which was associated with sharp foreign body.

Conclusion: Early removal of these sharp foreign bodies must be considered to reduce the risk of this complication.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Esophagus*
  • Female
  • Foreign Bodies / diagnosis*
  • Foreign Bodies / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male