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Case Reports
. 2017 Apr 1;115(2):e126-e130.
doi: 10.5546/aap.2017.e126.

[Foreign body in the esophagus as a cause of respiratory symptoms in children. Clinical cases]

[Article in Spanish]
Giselle Cuestas  1 , Verónica Rodríguez  2 , Flavia Doormann  2 , Patricio Bellia Munzón  2 , Gastón Bellia Munzón  3
Affiliations
Free article
Case Reports

[Foreign body in the esophagus as a cause of respiratory symptoms in children. Clinical cases]

[Article in Spanish]
Giselle Cuestas et al. Arch Argent Pediatr. .
Free article

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Foreign bodies in esophagus are avoidable accidents that occur most often in children younger than 3 years. The most common presenting symptoms are dysphagia, drooling and vomiting. Occasionally a foreign body in the esophagus may present with respiratory symptoms such as cough, stridor and respiratory distress. This is more common in young children and when the object remains lodged in the esophagus for a prolonged period. Clinical suspicion is essential for early diagnosis, which allows to avoid potential complications. We describe 3 children with a foreign body impacted in the esophagus who presented mainly respiratory symptoms. We alert pediatricians on symptomatic variation in the presentation of a foreign body ingestion and we underline the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

Los cuerpos extraños en el esófago son accidentes evitables que se observan, con mayor frecuencia, en niños menores de 3 años. Los síntomas de presentación más comunes son la disfagia, la sialorrea y los vómitos. Ocasionalmente, un cuerpo extraño en el esófago puede manifestarse con síntomas respiratorios, tales como tos, estridor y dificultad respiratoria. Esto es más frecuente en los niños pequeños y cuando el objeto permanece alojado en el esófago durante un período prolongado. La sospecha clínica es fundamental para el diagnóstico precoz, lo cual permite evitar potenciales complicaciones. Describimos a 3 niños con un cuerpo extraño impactado en el esófago que presentaron, principalmente, síntomas respiratorios. Alertamos a los pediatras sobre la variación sintomática en la presentación de un cuerpo extraño ingerido y subrayamos la importancia de realizar un diagnóstico y tratamiento oportunos.

Keywords: child; esophagus; foreign bodies; respiratory signs and symptoms.

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