Question
Recently, I’ve noticed that my sister’s child often lacks appetite and eats based on their mood swings. When we went to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor said it was a pediatric esophageal foreign body disease. I don’t know what this is? Can pediatric esophageal foreign bodies be treated?
Answer
Most patients have a history of swallowing foreign objects. For infants, they cannot express their discomfort, and family members may notice their toys suddenly disappearing. Children who have swallowed foreign objects initially may experience a clear sensation of throat or esophageal obstruction, sore throat, drooling, difficulty eating, vomiting, and refusal to eat. When the esophageal mucosa is damaged, there may be bleeding. For infants, they may exhibit crying and fussing, aspiration of large foreign objects causing hoarseness, coughing, wheezing, and even suffocation. The treatment methods for pediatric esophageal foreign bodies include the following aspects:
- Endoscopy: Using an endoscope for examination and removal of foreign objects. This is the most common treatment method, which helps doctors accurately locate and remove foreign objects.
- Surgery: In some cases, if the foreign object is too large or too dangerous to be handled through an endoscope, the doctor may perform surgery to cut open the esophagus and remove the foreign object.
- Supportive Treatment: Once the foreign object is successfully removed, patients may need supportive treatment, such as antibiotic therapy, to prevent infections from occurring. If you suspect your child has swallowed a foreign object, please seek medical attention immediately and inform the doctor of the relevant symptoms. Timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications.