Abstract / Summary
Purpose: Foreign body ingestion is a common pediatric emergency, particularly in young children, and may lead to a wide spectrum of clinical outcomes ranging from asymptomatic presentation to life-threatening complications. The type of ingested object, patient age, and timing of intervention are key determinants of management strategy and prognosis. To retrospectively evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics, management strategies, and complications of pediatric foreign body ingestion cases presenting to a tertiary care center.Materials and methods: Medical records of children aged 0-18 years who presented with foreign body ingestion between January 2017 and December 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, type and location of the ingested foreign body, management approach, and complications were analyzed.Results: The mean age of the patients was 58.7±39.2 months, with 62% being between 1 and 5 years of age. Most patients were asymptomatic at presentation (89.6%, n=276), and diagnosis was primarily based on caregiver suspicion. The most commonly ingested objects were coins (38.0%), blunt objects (24.4%), and sharp or pointed objects (14.0%). Button batteries accounted for 8.4% of all cases. Endoscopic intervention was performed in 74 patients (24.0%), with a success rate of 91.9%. Intestinal perforation occurred in two cases: one following ingestion of a sewing needle that had passed beyond the stomach and was not visualized during endoscopic evaluation, and the other after simultaneous ingestion of multiple magnets and a button battery.Conclusion: Most pediatric foreign body ingestions are asymptomatic and detected through caregiver awareness. The notable proportion of button battery ingestions underscores the need for improved preventive measures, including product safety and caregiver education. Furthermore, ingestion of multiple magnets poses a substantial risk for severe complications. A guideline-based, multidisciplinary management approach tailored to institutional experience is crucial to optimize outcomes and reduce morbidity.