Foreign body in the airways in children: Causes, signs and complications

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.

1. Causes of airway foreign body?

Foreign bodies in the airways have many causes, which can be solid or liquid substances common in life such as porridge, milk, children's toys,... Some situations may be encountered as follows:
Children I have a habit of putting food or toys in my mouth. In the process of eating and drinking, be careful not to let foreign objects get in the way. Due to strong, deep and sudden inhalation. After a laugh, cry or when too scared. Parents give the child the whole pill, do not crush it. Choking while eating.

Cho trẻ uống thuốc sai cách có thể gây ra tình trạng dị vật đường thở ở trẻ

2. What are the telltale signs of a foreign body in the airway?

Depending on the age of the child, the symptoms may be different. However, it is necessary to suspect an airway foreign body in the following circumstances:
Usually occurs suddenly, against the background that the child was previously completely healthy, still doing normal activities Suddenly the child has a severe coughing fit, shortness of breath, cyanosis. Some children have that expression accompanied by panic, agitation. In older children, they may hug the neck and show signs of choking in the neck Later stage, the child will have respiratory failure, cardiac arrest

3. Possible complications when having foreign body in the airway?

Acute complications: occur immediately, the child has difficulty breathing, rapid shallow breathing. If not treated promptly, it will lead to asphyxiation. Long-term complications with forgotten foreign bodies (children have difficulty breathing but the foreign body is still in the respiratory tract, can go deep into the lungs): children may have a prolonged cough, recurrent pneumonia....

Trẻ bị ho — Trẻ ho kéo dài có thể là triệu chứng của biến chứng của dị vật đường thở

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.

XEM THÊM:

Bài viết này được viết cho người đọc tại Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.