Unusual esophageal foreign body in neonates: A case report

Abstract

Introduction and importance Esophageal foreign body mostly occurs in children aged 6 months to 5 years old. In neonates (babies less than 28 days old), such report is extremely rare. In this case, we report the first esophageal foreign body in neonates without any symptoms. Case presentation A 28-day-old baby boy, with normal body weight, from a low socio-economic status family, came to us with a history of ingested foreign body. No sign of unconsciousness, excessive saliva, dysphagia, and respiratory distress. The chest X-ray revealed a radiopaque foreign body in the upper third of the esophagus. The patient underwent extraction of the foreign body using a flexible endoscope under general anesthesia. We found a 1.9 cm in diameter pendant with no sign of bleeding nor inflammation in the esophageal lumen. After the foreign body removal, the patient is in good condition and recovered uneventfully. Clinical discussion Foreign body in children under 6 months old is very rare. A high index of suspicion for foreign body ingestion must be considered in unattended children from lower socio-economic status, primarily if witness statements are present and confirmed with radiological examination. Most common impaction site is at the level of the cricopharyngeus muscle. Currently, flexible endoscopy is the standard for foreign body removal in children. Conclusion High index suspiciousness, witness statements and radiological examination are the important points in diagnosing ingested foreign body in neonates. Clinicians are required to provide education to parents to supervise their children when playing together.

A Rare Incidence of Neonatal Button Battery Ingestion: A Case of Child Abuse and Neglect

“…In 2000, Al-Odaidan et al reported a 20-day-old child with a nail-like oesophageal foreign body, prompting concerns about child abuse [ 1 ]. Dian Adi Syahputra et al described a 28-day-old newborn who swallowed his mother’s pendant, which was subsequently removed with no difficulties using a flexible endoscope [ 7 ]. A 7-day-old newborn with a nail impacted into the oropharynx introduced by an older brother and removed using a direct laryngoscope was described by Kazi et al, [ 5 ].…”