Foreign body ingestion is one of the most common pediatric emergencies, especially among infants and toddlers. These curious little ones often explore the world around them with their mouths, putting them at risk of accidentally swallowing small or sharp objects.
In this case report, we highlight the successful endoscopic removal of a sharp safety pin in an infant, managed by Dr. Anurag Mahagaonkar, a leading pediatrician in Bangalore. The case showcases the importance of timely diagnosis, expert care, and parent awareness in preventing complications.
👶 Patient Details
Age: Infant
Gender: Male
Weight: 2.5 kg
Term: Full-term baby
Previous Health Status: No significant medical or birth history; development appropriate for age.
📍 Presenting Complaint
The infant was brought to the Emergency Room (ER) after the accidental ingestion of a large metal safety pin the previous day at around 5:00 PM while playing.
🩺 History of Present Illness
Time of ingestion: Previous day (~5:00 PM)
- No vomiting
- No abdominal distension
- No bleeding per rectum
- No fever, rash, or signs of infection
- No seizures or altered consciousness
- Baby had passed normal stool after the event
- Last feed given at 2:00 PM on the day of admission
🧪 Evaluation & Diagnosis
Upon arrival to the emergency department:
- X-ray confirmed the presence of a foreign metallic object (safety pin) in the gastrointestinal tract
- Blood investigations were normal, ruling out infection, inflammation, or bleeding risk
- Diagnosis: Accidental ingestion of sharp metallic object – safety pin
🛠️ Procedure Done – Endoscopic Removal Under GA
Given the sharp nature of the object and risk of perforation, immediate removal was necessary.
- Procedure: Endoscopic removal using pediatric endoscope
- Anesthesia: General Anesthesia (GA)
- Outcome: The safety pin was successfully retrieved without any injury to the esophagus or stomach lining. No complications occurred.
🏥 Hospital Course
- Post-procedure, the baby was kept NPO (nil per oral) for 6 hours
- Maintained on IV fluids during this time
- Later, oral fluids were gradually introduced and then soft diet, all tolerated well
- The child remained hemodynamically stable with no respiratory or GI complications
- Discharged the following day in stable condition
📋 Discharge Summary
- Clinically stable
- Feeding normally
- Parents counseled on childproofing the home and preventive strategies
- Medications and post-procedure care instructions were given
📰 Featured in Media and News Platforms
This rare and successful pediatric case of endoscopic removal of a swallowed safety pin in an infant received wide recognition and was covered by various reputable news portals and media platforms.
Here are the featured links:
🗞️ AiN Kannada
🗞️ Daily Hunt
🗞️ Suddikshana
🗞️ Kalpa News
🗞️ Xpress Focus (link not provided, mention as media partner)
These features help spread awareness among parents about immediate medical attention in cases of foreign object ingestion in children, emphasizing the importance of expert pediatric care.
✅ Final Takeaway
Foreign body ingestion is alarming but treatable when managed early. Endoscopic removal is safe, effective, and prevents serious complications.
Prevention starts at home, and with expert medical care, your child is always in safe hands.
📍 Contact Dr. Anurag Mahagaonkar
Clinic Location: Sapthagiri institute of medical science and research center Bangalore, India
📞 Contact: +91 9980388820
🌐 Website: https://dranuragpediatrics.in/
📧 Email: [email protected]