ARTICLE TYPE : REVIEW ARTICLE
Published on : 10 Oct 2026,
Volume - 2
Journal Title :
WebLog Journal of Toxicology
| WebLog J Toxicol
| WJT
Source URL:
https://weblogoa.com/articles/wjt.2026.j1001
Permanent Identifier (DOI) :
Pediatric Surgical Toxicology: High Risk Ingestions, Congenital Anomalies, and Operative Management Pathways
2Department of Pediatric Surgery, Southampton General Hospital, United Kingdom
3Rajkot Cancer Hospital, Rajkot, India
4Department of Pediatiric Surgery, Evelina Children’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
5Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nottingham University Hospitals, Nottingham, United Kingdom
6Lincoln Uni College, 2, Jalan Stadium, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
7J. Watumull Global Hospital & Research Centre, Delwara Road, Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India
8Department of Pediatric Surgery, Postgraduate Institute of Child Health and Research and KT Children Government University Teaching Hospital, Rajkot, Gujarat, India
Abstract
Paediatric surgical toxicology represents a critical intersection between toxic exposures and surgically significant pathology. While accidental ingestions in toddlers and intentional self‑harm ingestion in adolescents remain major contributors to paediatric toxicology, a subset of exposures produce life‑threatening surgical complications requiring urgent operative intervention. Button battery ingestion, multiple magnet ingestion, caustic agents, toxic foreign bodies, heavy metals, and congenital anomalies such as Meckel’s diverticulum, intestinal atresias, malrotation, duplication cysts, and Hirschsprung disease can dramatically alter the clinical course of toxic exposures. Button batteries may cause esophageal necrosis, tracheoesophageal fistula, aorto‑esophageal fistula, gastric ulceration, duodenal perforation, and obstruction or perforation of Meckel’s diverticulum. Multiple magnet ingestion produces pressure necrosis, fistula formation, volvulus, perforation, and sepsis. Neonates and infants with congenital anomalies are at heightened risk due to altered anatomy, impaired motility, and increased susceptibility to perforation. This review synthesizes emerging trends, surgical complications, operative strategies, and postoperative considerations in paediatric surgical toxicology, integrating global toxicology surveillance [1], NPIS guidance [2], psychotropic ingestion trends [3], toddler high‑risk ingestion data [4], herbicide toxicity [5], and surgical literature including laparoscopic management of Meckel’s diverticulum perforation by button battery. The aim is to provide paediatric surgeons, emergency physicians, and toxicologists with a comprehensive, clinically actionable overview of surgical toxicology in children.
Keywords: Paediatric Surgical Toxicology; Button Battery Ingestion; Meckel’s Diverticulum; Congenital Anomalies; Multiple Magnet Ingestion; Neonatal Toxicology; Intestinal Perforation; Operative Management; Toxic Foreign Bodies
Citation
Khatri LK, More AB, Govani PS, Zaparackaite I, More BB, Singh SJ, et al. Pediatric Surgical Toxicology: High Risk Ingestions, Congenital Anomalies, and Operative Management Pathways. WebLog J Toxicol. wjt.2026.j1001. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.23335459