ESOPHAGEAL FOREIGN-BODY - A CASE PRESENTATION

A case report is presented of a 10-month-old child with a 1-month hist ory of respiratory symptoms, followed by 3 to 4 days of fever, progres sing to poor feeding, vomiting, and weight loss. The child is cared fo r by his mentally disabled young parents. A chest radiograph revealed a metallic foreign body obstructing the proximal esophagus. Esophagosc opy and removal of a penny re suited in immediate resolution of the ac ute gastrointestinal symptoms; the respiratory symptoms resolved short ly thereafter. Diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in the manage ment of pediatric aerodigestive foreign bodies are discussed. High-ris k parenting, such as in this case, is a risk factor for pediatric fore ign-body ingestion.