AERODIGESTIVE TRACT FOREIGN-BODIES IN THE OLDER-CHILD AND ADOLESCENT

This study was undertaken in order to establish the incidence of aerod igestive tract foreign body accidents among older children and adolesc ents, and to investigate the circumstances surrounding these events. A review of patients treated over a 5-year period identified 367 childr en from whom aerodigestive tract foreign bodies were removed. Seventee n percent of these patients were 5 years of age or older. Among these children, 88% aspirated nonfood items, half of which were school suppl ies; 78% of the group 5 years old and under aspirated food items. Amon g older children with esophageal foreign bodies, 31% had food impactio ns, compared with 7% in the younger group; 70% of these children had a history of some anatomic abnormality of the esophagus. These data sug gest that older children and adolescents represent a distinct group of patients at risk for foreign body accidents. Pediatricians and parent s of children in this age group should discourage the practice of usin g the oral cavity as a repository for school supplies, and should stre ss the need for adequate preparation and mastication of food, particul arly among children with esophageal abnormalities.