Pediatria pre prax 5/2006

FOREIGN BODIES IN UPPER GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT IN CHILDREN. WHEN IS ENDOSCOPIC EXTRACTION INDICATED?

Accidental ingestion of foreign bodies occurs frequently in children. The majority of them pass spontaneously per vias naturales within 72 hours (between 6 hours and 6 weeks). However, 10 to 20 % require endoscopic intervention, and 1 % or less will require surgery. There are no clear guidelines regading the management of ingested foreign bodies in children. We reviewed the literature and propose recommendations for diagnostic and therapeutic management of most frequent foreign bodies for community pediatricans. We answer the questions, when and how early is indicated endoscopic extraction of upper gastrointestinal foreign body.

Keywords: foreign bodies, upper gastrointestinal tract, childhood, endoscopic extraction.