Citation

Gregori D, Scarinzi C, Morra B, Salerni L, Berchialla P, Snidero S, Corradetti R, Passali D. Pediatr. Int. 2010; 52(1): 26-32.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Japan Pediatric Society, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1442-200X.2009.02862.x

PMID

19419514

Abstract

Objective: In the young children, particularly those aged from 1 to 3 years, aerodigestive tract foreign bodies (FB) are a common pediatric problem. The aim of this work is to characterize the risk of complications and prolonged hospitalization due to foreign bodies (FB) in the upper digestive tract in terms of the characteristics of the injured patients (age, gender), typology and features of the FBs, the circumstances of the accident and the hospitalization's details. Methods: A retrospective study in 19 Hospitals of corresponding 19 European countries observed 186 cases of injuries due to the presence of a FB in the mouth, esophagus and stomach (ICD935), out of the 2103 overall cases of FB reported in other locations. Results: Complications arose in 14 cases and hospitalization was required in 164 cases. No deaths were observed. A higher incidence of hospitalization in males (61%) was observed. Median age for children who experienced complications was 2 years old. The most common FB removal technique was esophagoscopy. In the majority of the cases, children were treated by ENT Department. The most common FBs were coins, batteries and fish bones among food. Conclusion: Since battieries, as well as coins and fish bones among food were the most common type of FB encountered, and since recent development of technology has accelerated broad use of disk-type batteries, parents should be aware of this hazard, and an educational campaign for public education for this serious problem might be advisable.

Language: en