Safety-pin Induced Hemopericardium and Cardiac Tamponade in an Infant

ABSTRACT

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.