Foreign body ingestion in an infant: A high index of suspicion is required

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of foreign body ingestion in the upper gastrointestinal tract accounts for 75%-85% of foreign body ingestions in pediatric patients.

CASE PRESENTATION: An 8-month old boy presented with vomiting and was referred to the otorhinolaryngology team based on his mother's suspicion that her child might have ingested a foreign body. Flexible laryngoscopy revealed a phone screen protector at the vallecular region. The foreign body was removed in the operating theatre.

CONCLUSION: Foreign body ingestion should always be suspected in young patients. Consideration of the patient's symptoms, level of lodgement, and type of foreign body will determine whether immediate intervention or a conservative approach is warranted.