Aspirated Foreign Bodies in Children

Česká verzia

Authors: K. Bartoňková
Authors place of work: Dětská ORL klinika FN Brno přednosta prof. MUDr. I. Šlapák, CSc.
Published in the journal: Čes-slov Pediat 2008; 63 (1): 19-23.
Category: Original Papers

Summary

Introduction:
Aspiration of a foreign body represents a life-threatening condition, which requires an immediate surgical intervention. The most often affected children are at their age of one to three years (80% of cases). The foreign body causes respiratory distress, cyanosis, pain, intermittent hoarseness and/or vomiting, which can be followed by asymptomatic period of time and bronchopulmonary complications.

Materials and methods:
the observed cohort is constituted by patients who have been treated at the Clinic of Children ORL, Medical Faculty, Masaryk University at Brno. The period of observation was since the year 2000 till 2005. A total of 135 patients were treated for suspected foreign bodies, 75 of them boys and 60 girls.

Results:
In 12 patients bronchoscopy was not performed for uncertain anamnesis, negative ORL and internal examination and negative X-ray finding. In one case the patient coughed out a candy (sweet) during the ORL examination. Bronchoscopy was performed in 123 patients.

Discussion:
Subglottic laryngitis is the most frequent cause of choking in children as well as an aspirated foreign body and epiglottitis. A rapid disclosure and therapy of the threatening respiratory distress is important for a good prognosis and minimization of the risk of complications. In patients who have been repeatedly hospitalized for respiratory problems the foreign body should be suspected. For the establishment of diagnosis, history is of importance as well as internal examination, ORL finding and imaging methods.

Conclusion:
Prevention is of importance as well as continuous information for parents about possible risk and giving proper attention to this kind of warning. In cases of suspected foreign body in respiratory pathways a rapid diagnosis is necessary as well as removal of the foreign body.

Key words:
bronchoscopy, aspirated foreign bodies

Zdroje

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