Foreign Body Aspiration in Children

Abstract

Introduction: Foreign body aspiration is one of the pediatric respiratory emergencies occurring especially in younger age (b/w 1-5 years) group leading significant morbidity & mortality The signs and symptoms of foreign body aspiration are quite variable depends on the age, the type of object, site, and the elapsed time since the event. The radiological investigations are not helpful in detection of non-metallic organic foreign bodies like peanuts, beetle nut and seeds. Comparing with foreign literature type of foreign body is peanut and plastic materials. Bronchoscopy is the best intervention for diagnosis and remedy of foreign body. Objective: The purpose of our study is to evaluate clinical, radiological &- bronchoscopic findings. Study Design: Retrospective study Materials & Methods: A retrospective study carried out from January 2010 to December 2011 in pediatric surgery department at PUMHS, Nawabshah on 150 patients with foreign body in airway, We reviewed the demographics, clinical presentation, X-ray chest & bronchoscopic findings. Results: Results were analyzed & there was male predominance (n=90). The majority cases seen b/w 2-3 yrs. (n=47) & most common symptom was cough & dyspnea (n=80) with 95 patients had decrease breath sounds, On x-ray chest only 91 cases had significant findings. Betel nut (n=1101 was the most common foreign body retrieved. Conclusion: The successful diagnosis &. treatment of this problem requires awareness & highest degree of suspicion of signs and symptoms of foreign body aspiration as it can mimic other pathological conditions such as croup, pneumonia and asthma, it is sometimes mismanaged. Rigid bronchoscopy is very effective procedure with less complication.