SAFE FEEDING PRACTICES FOR INFANTS AND YOUNG-CHILDREN

Objective: To review local and overseas experience of food asphyxia in children and to examine aspects of safe childhood eating practices. M ethodology: Inpatient separation information data for childhood hospit al admissions in South Australia were searched for episodes of food-in duced airway obstruction and case records of the Department of Histopa thology at the Women's and Children's Hospital were searched for cases of fatal food asphxia. Results: While other forms of injury to young children appear to be declining in numbers, episodes caused by choking on food have remained relatively constant. The increase in average le ngth of hospital stay (from 2.8 days in 1989-90 to 5.2 days in 1993-94 ) also suggests that the episodes have been more severe. Two fatal cas es were also found. Conclusions: Choking due to food inhalation is a p roblem with potentially fatal consequences. Young children are particu larly at risk as they have immature dentition and control of swallowin g, and lack experience of food. Although young children should avoid p otentially dangerous foods such as raw carrot sticks and raw apples, c ertain currently available information packages for parents recommend these foods.