Aspiration of a sharp metallic pin in a child: A case report

Introduction: Foreign Body Aspiration (FBA) represents a life-threatening emergency. It occurs primarily in children below 3 years. Generally, the most common aspirated FB is organic material such as nuts or beans. Sharp Foreign Bodies (FBs) are of particular concern to the attending clinician, because of their potential to perforate the air passage and cause possible complications. Here in, we report a rare case of sharp metallic pin aspiration in a child. Case report: A 15-month-old boy was referred to our Emergency Ward due to the sudden onset of chocking and dysphagia which were transient. His mother was a tailor. He had history of ingestion of the similar pin two months ago. Chest radiography identified the radiopaque pin in the left side of chest. Rigid bronchoscopy was done and a sharp metallic pin was removed. Conclusions: Aspiration of a sharp, metallic FB is a serious injury. Pain X-ray can confirm the diagnosis. FB inhalation is preventable by creating public awareness and parenteral education to keep small objects out of children

Foreign body ingestion and aspiration at a pediatric center in northern Iran

Background: Aspiration or ingestion of foreign bodies (FBs) is a common health problem leading to hospitalization of children around the world. The purpose of this study was to detect the FBS of aspirated or swallowed in children. Methods: The present cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 77 hospitalized children due to FBs aspirated or swallowed from 2008 to 2013 at Amirkola Childrenchr('39')s Hospital. Information including demographic profile, type of FBs and their location, clinical manifestations, treatment used and possible complications were extracted from their medical records, and the data were analyzed. Results: Out of 76 cases, 51 (67.1) were boys; 47.4 of children were 1-2 years old (mean age 2.6±2.2 years), and 67.1 of the bodies were in the gastrointestinal tract. The most common FBs were foodstuff (42.1), metallic bodies (39.5) and non-metallic bodies (18.4), respectively. The most common symptoms were cough (84) in respiratory FBs and vomiting (57) in gastrointestinal FBs. The mean duration of hospitalization was 74.8±57.1 hours in gastrointestinal FBs and 126.7±56 hours in respiratory FBs. There was a significant statistical relationship between location of FBs (p=0.000) and type of swallowed or aspirated bodies (p=0.041) with the duration of hospitalization. No mortality was observed. Conclusions: Findings show that foodstuffs are the most abundant FBs aspirated or swallowed in children aged 1-2 years. Obviously, educating parents and caregivers to take required care of children, especially while eating in this particular age group, is a key element in reducing such injuries

Effects of Cisapride on QTc Interval in Children

Objective: Cisapride is a prokinetic drug with different reports on its cardiac side effects. As there might be a genetic susceptibility for the effects of this drug, we studied its effects on QTc interval of children in our region. Material & Methods: This semi-experimental study was performed on children aged over one month, who attended Amirkola Children’s Hospital from October 2004 to March 2005 and needed to be treated with Cisapride. Patients with risk factors such as cardiac disease, electrolyte disturbance and drug usage interfering with Cisapride metabolism were excluded from the study. Cisapride was prescribed orally 0.6mg/kg/day in 3 doses. ECG was taken in lead II before drug administration and after one week. QTc intervals before and after treatment were compared. P-value >0.05 was considered significant. Findings: Among 135 admitted children needing Cisapride, 118 cases fulfilled inclusion criteria and were enrolled in the study. Their mean age was 14.1 (1.5) months. The mean QTc intervals before and after treatment were 377 (20) msec and 380 (22) msec, respectively (P=0.1). No child had a QTc interval more than 450 msec. Conclusion: Cisapride (0.6mg/kg/day) did not cause a significant prolonged QTc interval in children with no risk factor