Clinical characteristics and temporal trends of pediatric gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion: a single-center retrospective study

We aimed to evaluate temporal changes in the clinical characteristics and management of pediatric gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion. We retrospectively reviewed patients aged < 15 years who presented with suspected foreign body ingestion between January 2016 and June 2025. Patients were divided into early (≤ 2020) and late (≥ 2021) periods. Clinical characteristics, foreign body type, time to presentation, and outcomes were analyzed. Overall, 586 patients were included, of whom 371 underwent imaging and 187 had confirmed foreign bodies. Removal was required in 52 cases. The removal rate was higher in the late period despite fewer detected cases. Button batteries were the most common foreign bodies and the only category showing an increase in the number of removal cases. Cigarette- and electronic cigarette-related ingestion was more frequent in the late period. Patients in the late period tended to present earlier after foreign body ingestion, with foreign bodies more frequently located in the esophagus or stomach. Age was not associated with the increased removal rate. Temporal changes in pediatric foreign body ingestion were observed, with increased removal rates in the late period. These findings may be associated with an increased proportion of high-risk button batteries and relatively earlier presentation after ingestion.