Snapshot A mother witnessed her 9-month-old daughter swallow a stray watch battery from the opposite side of the room. She rushed her daughter to the emergency department immediately after the incident. On evaluation, the child appears to be in no acute distress without any evidence of respiratory compromise or gastrointestinal tract obstruction. Introduction Ingestions are often unwitnessed and child may not develop symptoms Most common in children 6 months - 3 years of age Majority of foreign bodies will pass spontaneously without ill effects; however, complications can occur login to view 2 more bullets Typically, radio-opaque objects are swallowed - coins, screws, button-batteries, small toy parts Presentation Esophageal foreign body: login to view 2 more bullets Once beyond esophagus, objects typically pass but with increased risk of complications: login to view 7 more bullets IMAGING 1st test - Radiographs of the chest, neck, upper abdomen login to view 1 more bullet Other imaging studies may be used - US, CT, MRI Endoscopy - definitive diagnostic modality Differential Must rule out foreign body aspiration - confirm object is NOT in trachea or respiratory tree Esophagitis Gastroenteritis Bowel obstruction Intussception Appendicitis Treatment Prevention - parental education and good safety practices at home - not allowing children to play with toys containing small, removable parts If the object is thought to be in the esophagus (based on imaging and clinical presentation): login to view 6 more bullets Object distal to esophagus (in stomach most commonly) login to view 5 more bullets Always remove button/disc batteries If an acid/alkali is ingested login to view 3 more bullets Complications Bowel obstruction Bowel perforation GI tract mucosal abrasion Abscess or infection Prognosis The majority of foreign body ingestions will pass spontaneously without intervention