Abstract:

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of gastrointestinal foreign bodies in children, analyze the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of different types of foreign bodies, and provide references for clinical management and risk prevention of pediatric foreign body ingestion. Methods Clinical data of 614 pediatric patients with gastrointestinal foreign bodies from July 2021 to July 2024 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results A total of 614 cases were included, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. The mean age was 4.12 ± 3.07 years, and the highest incidence was among children aged 1-3 years (52.34%). Blunt foreign bodies with smooth and round surfaces were the most common (60.58%), followed by corrosive foreign bodies (8.47%) and other unclassifiable objects (2.12%). Among the cases, 153 (24.92%) were managed conservatively and excreted spontaneously, 442 (71.99%) were removed via endoscopy or surgical exploration, and 19 (3.09%) involved liquid ingestion. The esophagus was the most common site of impaction (48.05%). Complications occurred in 152 (24.76%) children, with mild gastrointestinal mucosal injury being the most common, followed by peptic ulcers (4.72%), gastrointestinal perforations (6.19%), corrosive injuries (1.95%), and esophageal strictures (0.65%). The occurrence of complications was not associated with gender or age (P>0.05), but was significantly related to factors such as admission interval, sharp or corrosive nature of the foreign body, location (upper vs. lower gastrointestinal tract), presence of underlying diseases, habitual residence, and symptoms at presentation (P<0.05). Risk factors for complications included sharp or corrosive foreign bodies, retention time >24 hours, location in the lower gastrointestinal tract, and symptoms at diagnosis (P<0.05). Conclusion Timely removal of gastrointestinal foreign bodies can reduce the incidence of complications. The type of foreign body significantly influences clinical management and prognosis, with particular attention needed for novel or special types of foreign bodies. Strengthening preventive care and avoiding foreign body ingestion are crucial in reducing the incidence of such cases.

Key words: gastrointestinal foreign bodies, endoscopy, child