Safety-pin Induced Hemopericardium and Cardiac Tamponade in an Infant

Background: Safety-pin ingestion causing cardiovascular complications are very rarewith high risk for mortality. Case characteristics: A 10-month-old child who presentedwith persistent irritability and intermittent fever of 1 month duration. The child hadtachypnea and mild subcostal retractions. Observation: Investigations revealed opensafety-pin in lower esophagus, and pericardial effusion that later progressed to cardiactamponade during handling of the safety pin by endoscope. Message: It may be safer todrain pericardial collection before handling sharp foreign bodies in lower end of esophagusas it can worsen cardiac complications.