Corresponding Author: H Hesham A-Kader, MD, M.Sc., Professor and Chief, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85750, USA (Tel: (520) 626-4140; Fax: (520) 626-4141; Email: Hassan@peds.arizona.edu)

doi:10.1007/s12519-010-0231-y

Background: Foreign body ingestion is a common problem in the pediatric age group. Infants and young children explore objects by putting them in the mouth.

Data sources: We reviewed the most recent literatures regarding the incidence, clinical presentation, as well as the most recent advances in the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities of foreign body ingestion in children.

Results: In 2007 more than 125 000 foreign body ingestions in patients of 19 years old and younger were reported to American Poison Control Centers in the USA. The majority of ingested foreign bodies pass spontaneously.

Conclusions: Some foreign bodies can be harmful and require evaluation and intervention. The challenge in management is to distinguish the patients who require intervention from those who can be safely observed. In this review we suggest an algorithm for evaluation and management of children suspected to ingest a radiopaque foreign body.

Key words: bezoars; button batteries; coins; foreign body ingestion; meat impaction; narcotic packets; rectal foreign bodies

                  World J Pediatr 2010;6(4):301-310