Key clinical message: Sewing needle ingestion is a rare but potentially dangerous event that can affect people of all ages and backgrounds like this patient.Conservative management with serial abdominal examination and x-rays can be a reasonable option for patients who do not show signs of perforation or sepsis, as most foreign bodies will pass spontaneously without complications such as this case.
Abstract: Though rare, swallowing a sewing needle is a peculiar and potentially dangerous health risk. People of all ages and backgrounds can accidentally ingest sewing needles, with cases documented in both children and adults. Our case focuses on a 17-year-old Ethiopian girl who accidentally gulped down a needle while stitching her clothing. Subsequently, she had an episode of vomiting that was tinged with blood along with ingested matter. Remarkably, the patient underwent conservative management using repeated abdominal checkups and x-rays, successfully passing the broken needle without any surgical intervention. It is important to remember that while uncommon, ingesting sewing needles might lead to significant complications, necessitating immediate and appropriate care.
Keywords: ingested; needle; passage; spontaneous.
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