Foreign Bodies in the Oropharynx, Gastointestinal Tract, Ear, and Nose

A foreign body ingestion should be considered in the differential diagnosis when evaluating children with gastrointestinal and respiratory complaints. Delayed presentations of foreign body ingestion can range from severe respiratory distress to being completely asymptomatic. The patient's condition, the type and location of the foreign body, and the expertise of the available providers dictate the management of ingested foreign bodies. Emergent removal is necessary for children with symptoms of acute respiratory distress or intractable vomiting and for those with the following ingestions: food impaction; 2 or more magnets; sharp objects in the proximal bowel; and esophageal, aural, and otic button batteries.