Foreign bodies in the gastrointestinal tract of children: A clinical analysis and guidelines for management.

Objective

In this paper, we analyzed the outcomes of foreign bodies in the digestive tract of 42 children who were hospitalized in the pediatric department of a tertiary hospital in a medium-sized city in China. The focus is on discussing the indications for removal of foreign bodies via digestive endoscopy.

Methods

Forty-two children with foreign bodies in the digestive tract, hospitalized from June 2020 to October 2022 were selected.

Results

(1) The majority of the children (52.4%) who had coins in their digestive tracts were between the ages of 3 to 6 years. (2) Symptoms were most commonly observed in the esophagus (62.5%), and gastroscopy was used to remove all foreign bodies. (3) There were 13 cases with foreign bodies in the stomach, and only 4 required removal of the foreign bodies. (4) Among 4 cases where imaging was unable to detect the foreign bodies, gastroscopy revealed the foreign bodies in the esophagi of 2 symptomatic cases, and were removed; the other 2 asymptomatic cases excreted the foreign bodies in the stools.

Conclusion

The timing for foreign body removal via digestive endoscopy depends on factors such as location, nature, and symptoms. Single foreign bodies that migrate within the stomach and intestine may be observed without intervention if asymptomatic. Sharp foreign bodies usually pass spontaneously if beyond the esophagus. Emergency gastroscopy is recommended for symptomatic cases; otherwise, clinical observation is suggested.