Age of occurrence of tracheal foreign bodies
Inhalation of tracheobronchial foreign bodies is a potentially life-threatening event because it can obstruct breathing by blocking the airways and, if blocking the airways, can even cause death . Approximately 80% of pediatric airway foreign body inhalation occurs in children under 3 years of age, with a peak incidence between 1 and 2 years of age. Children in this age group love to put small objects in their mouths, but they haven't yet grinded their teeth to fully chew food. Other reasons that are prone to foreign body inhalation at this age include exposure to inappropriate foods or small objects, activities while eating, and having older siblings (who may put food or objects in the mouths of young children).
Source of foreign bodies in the trachea
Foreign bodies commonly sucked up by children include peanuts (36%-55% of all foreign bodies in Western societies), other nuts, seeds (especially watermelon seeds in Middle Eastern countries), popcorn, food pellets, hardware, and toy parts. Food is the most common inhaled foreign body in infants and young children, while non-food items (such as coins, paper clips, pins, pen caps) are the more common inhaled foreign bodies in older children. Factors that make foreign bodies more dangerous include the fact that the foreign body is round (a round object is most likely to cause complete airway obstruction and suffocation), is not easily broken and decomposes, is compressive, and has a smooth surface.
Treatment of tracheal foreign bodies
If foreign body inhalation is known or there is a strong suspicion of foreign body inhalation, take your child to the hospital quickly. A bronchoscope is generally required to identify and remove foreign bodies. Some of them require open surgery because of their special location. If the diagnosis is made soon after the foreign body inhalation occurs, damage to the airway or lung parenchyma is usually minimal. But there are many children who cough for a long time and take chest X-rays to find out. If the foreign body remains for a longer time, complications such as atelectasis, post-blocked pneumonia, or even bronchiectasis are more likely.
Information for parents
Children should only be fed by adults and need to be seated upright before feeding;
Children should be taught to eat quietly, especially not to play, run, cry and laugh;
Chewable drugs can be given only after the age of 3 years in children (at this time there is a grinding of teeth);
Do not let children carry small objects in their mouths, such as small parts of toys, and follow the age recommendation on the toy packaging;
Be aware of older children in the family who may give dangerous items to younger siblings.
Source: Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University