Foreign bodies in the airways in children: Mistakes to avoid and precautions

The article is written by MSc Pham Khac Tiep - Pediatrician, Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International General Hospital.

Foreign body in the airway is when foreign objects enter the airways. This is a dangerous accident that can be fatal if not detected and handled in time.

Do not intervene yourself if the child is still awake and can cough, breathe or scream, cry but not have difficulty breathing. Don't try to pull out the foreign object and move it if you can't see it, as there is a greater chance the object will fall deeper, thereby inadvertently making breathing worse. Do not use folk tricks such as sticking leaves, drinking unknown foods with the aim of swallowing foreign objects, but take the child to a medical facility.

Babies often choke while feeding, eating powder or taking medicine, so put the baby in a sitting position when feeding and do not let the baby lie down with the bottle alone. Do not comfort a crying baby by pressing the bottle to the mouth, it is easy to choke. Do not allow children to hold toys and small objects that are easy for children to put in their mouths. Teach children the habit of not putting anything in their mouths. Children should not be allowed to eat foods that are easy to choke such as: custard apple seeds, peanuts, kumquats, persimmon seeds, pumpkin seeds, melon seeds... If you see your child sucking or eating things that can cause choking, do not panic. shouting, scolding children for doing so, they are afraid of choking. When the child is crying or laughing, do not feed or give medicine, do not let the child eat and play. If the child is choking or suspected of choking on the airway, it is necessary to take the child to a medical facility immediately for timely treatment.

Pediatrics department at Vinmec International General Hospital is the address for receiving and examining diseases that infants and young children are susceptible to: viral fever, bacterial fever, otitis media, pneumonia in children, ... With modern equipment, sterile space, minimizing the impact as well as the risk of disease spread. Along with that is the dedication from the doctors with professional experience with pediatric patients, making the examination no longer a concern of the parents.
Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.