Airway foreign bodies in childhood

Objective: To define clinical spectrum of airway foreign body aspiration in children and to evaluate the outcome and complications. Methods: A total o f 53 patients (27 girls, 26 boys) with a mean age of 30.0 +/- 32.7 months, who aspirated foreign bodies were treated with bronchoscopy were divided in to two groups with respect to the time they were diagnosed as early (Group 1, n = 22, less than or equal to 24 h after aspiration) and late diagnosed group (Group 2, n = 31, > 24 h after aspiration). The two groups were follo wed up prospectively for complications. Results: A total of 72% of patients were under a 3-year age group. Choking episode history was reported in 32% of patients but when families were questioned about it more in detail the rate increased to 51%. Acute episode of choking seemed trivial most of the families. Cough (69.8%), decreased breath sounds (52.8%) and wheezing (45.1 %) were predominant symptoms. Sunflower seed (32.1%) and peanuts (15.1%) we re noted as common aspirated materials. Ar trapping (59%) and consolidation (47%) were the most frequent radiological findings especially in the late diagnosed group (P < 0.01). Patients who aspirated organic materials freque ntly developed pneumonia diagnosed in late period after aspiration. Conclus ion: Pediatricians must be conscious to check for foreign body aspiration w ho have sudden onset of cough and wheezing episode. In any suspicion, a bro nchoscopy should be considered even if there is not any positive history fo r aspiration. Children should be followed up after bronchoscopy for complic ations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.