Foreign body in the gastrointestinal tract in children: A tertiary hospital experience.

Background: Foreign body (FB) ingestion in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) in children is common. Although most foreign bodies will pass spontaneously, surgical intervention is required when they fail to pass. Aims and Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate our experience in the management of children who presented with FB in the GIT. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of children that underwent laparotomy for the removal of FB in the GIT at the paediatric surgery unit of Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu over a 10-year period. Results: A total of 272 children presented with FB in the GIT during the study period, out of which 30 patients had laparotomy. This gave an operative incidence rate of 11%. There was a slight male predominance and the ages of the patients ranged from 6 months to 5 years (median 3 years). About half of the patients had no symptoms and all the patients were investigated with an abdominal radiograph. Only one-third of the patients had a predisposing factor that could have led to FB impaction. FB impaction was the most common indication for surgery, and enterotomy with FB removal was the most performed surgical procedure. The most common FB removed were tiny parts of toys, and the most common post-operative complication was surgical site infection. There was no mortality. Conclusion: FB in GIT in children could be associated with complications that require surgical treatment. FB ingestion is preventable. Focus should be placed on caregivers preventing children from ingesting FB.

Serum Zinc Levels in Apparently Healthy Children in Nigeria: Are They Acceptable.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the importance of zinc in the human body, there is paucity of data on the zinc status of Nigerian children. The aim of this study was to determine the serum zinc levels of children attending the pediatric outpatient clinic of a tertiary hospital in South East Nigeria and to assess their need for routine zinc supplementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred children aged 5-60 months were recruited consecutively from the pediatric outpatient clinic. Their socioeconomic class (SEC) was assessed using the tool developed by Oyedeji. Physical examination was carried out to exclude malnutrition and/or liver disease. Samples were collected in the morning from nonfasting subjects and were analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Serum zinc deficiency was defined as zinc level <80 µg/dl. RESULTS: The overall median (range) serum zinc level was 83.3ug/dl (60-105 µg/dl) while the median (mean rank) serum zinc levels among male and female subjects were 83.4 µg/dl and 84.2ug/dl, respectively (U = 1071.00; P = 0.228). A total of 26 (26%) apparently healthy children had low serum zinc levels. There was no association between gender and serum zinc levels (χ2 = 2.163; P = 0.141). A significant positive but weak relationship was found between SEC and zinc levels (r = 0.208, P = 0.038) but not between serum zinc levels and age of the children (r = 0.185, P = 0.065). CONCLUSION: A significant proportion of Under-5s could have low serum zinc levels. Routine zinc supplementation may be necessary among this age group in Nigeria.