Which coin is easier to pass esophagus spontaneously?

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors associated with the spontaneous passage (SP) of coins lodged in the esophagus in children.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A total of 351 pediatric patients with coin ingestion admitted to our hospital from March 2016 to March 2019 were included in the study. The patients underwent a period of overnight watch with a repeated chest x-ray within 24 h after the commencement of hospitalization. The influencing factors (sex, age, types of coin, time in the esophagus, and location) were analyzed.

RESULTS

The repeated chest x-ray showed coins that had passed into the stomach or intestine in 68 patients. Sex, age, time in the esophagus, location in the esophagus or the types of coins were not associated with SP, but the distribution of the esophageal coins varied statistically significantly in the different ages.

CONCLUSION

Coins pass spontaneously through the esophagus (19.4%) within 24 h, unrelated to sex, age, time of esophagus lodging, coin location in the esophagus, or coin types. Children approximately two years old were more likely to ingest small coins (10 or 50 cents), whereas children approximately five years old were more likely to ingest a large coin (1 Yuan).