Needle as a Foreign Body in the Kidney of an Infant: A Case Report

Foreign bodies in the kidneys are extremely rare, particularly in pediatric patients. We report a unique case of a nine-month-old male infant who was incidentally found to have a needle in his left kidney during evaluation for a lower respiratory tract infection. The foreign body was initially identified on chest X-ray and confirmed by a computed tomography scan. The infant had a history of transient swelling in the left lumbar region during the neonatal period, which resolved spontaneously, suggesting a possible entry point. Despite being asymptomatic, surgical intervention was deemed necessary due to the metallic nature of the foreign body and its potential for complications. A laparoscopic approach was successfully used to remove the 3 cm needle, which was identified as a broken hypodermic injection needle. The kidney was preserved, and no postoperative complications were observed. The infant's recovery was uneventful, with normal renal function and imaging during follow-up. This case highlights the rarity of renal foreign bodies in infants, the effectiveness of laparoscopic surgery for their removal, and the importance of early recognition and timely intervention to prevent long-term complications. The report also discusses potential risks associated with outdated practices, such as the broken needle technique, which involves intentionally breaking a hypodermic needle for collecting blood samples from neonates and infants, and emphasizes the need for improved safety protocols and awareness in pediatric procedures.