Publication:

Upper gastrointestinal tract foreign body in children India

Background Foreign body ingestion is a common problem all over the world with 80% of the case reported in children. Most swallowed foreign bodies pass harmlessly through the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Evaluation of foreign body in upper GI tract in children. The design of this study was retrospective case study. Study conducted Mata Gujari medical college, Kishanganj, Bihar, India from January 2005 to January 2016.

Methods Between January 2005 to January 2016 the record of all children of age group 5-16 were analyzed at Mata Gujari medical college, Kishanganj, Bihar with a final diagnosis of foreign body in upper GI tract. Data were analyzed with respect to demographic data, presenting symptoms, investigations, management and outcome. Age below 5 year and 16 year were excluded from the study.

Results Total seventy patients were identified (38 boy and 32 girl). Age ranges from 5 year to 16 year. Fifty three patients (75.7%) presented within 24 hours. Thirteen patients (18.6%) had underlying predisposing factors. The most common FB found in 30 patients (42.8%) was coin. The most common symptoms were drooling of saliva in 42 patients (60%) followed by vomiting (51.4%) in 36 patients. Follow up ranges from one week to six months and all were recovered without any sequelae.

Conclusions Foreign body ingestion is common problem in children and usually an accidental event. Long retained FB is associated with higher incidence of complications.