The history often presents as difficult or not as informative as desirable because the event was rarely observed or noticed.
The anamnesis (medical history) represents an important component in the diagnosis of foreign body ingestion. If the child is not yet able to speak or is unable to speak meaningfully, the history is taken through the parents.
Social anamnesis
Current anamnesis/systemic anamnesis (somatic and psychological complaints).
- Have you observed or do you suspect that your child has swallowed something? If so, do you have a comparable object? (Size, radiographic density of the foreign body, adequate salvage instrument, and possible complications can thus be determined or estimated?)
- Have you seen what your child has played with before?
- Has your child swallowed several foreign objects?
- If it could be food, was it raw or cooked, peeled?
- When did it happen?
- Did you observe any symptoms and if so, what were they?
- How did the symptoms develop/change during the course?
- Has your child ever had anything “stuck in their throat”?
Vegetative anamnesis incl. nutritional anamnesis.
- When was the last meal?
- What was eaten and how much?
Self history including medication history.
- Pre-existing conditions
- Operations
- Allergies
- Environmental history
* If this question has been answered with “Yes”, an immediate visit to the doctor is required! (Information without guarantee)
