Foreign Body Aspiration in Children is Time-Sensitive: A Retrospective Analysis of 79 Cases
Abstract
Background: Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children, especially within the 1-3 year age range. Bronchoscopy is the gold standard diagnostic method in patients with a suspected history of FBA and is also the primary treatment.
Methods: We evaluated pediatric patients who presented with suspected FBA between December 2023 and December 2024. Bronchoscopy was recommended for all patients who might have aspiration, and fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) was done under a laryngeal mask on those who agreed to the procedure.
Results: A foreign body was identified in 43 patients (54.4%). Foreign body extraction was performed by FOB in 2 (2.6%), rigid bronchoscopy in 40 (50.6%), and thoracotomy in 1 (1.3%) of the patients. FBA of organic origin was considerably elevated before schooling compared to post-schooling (p=0.004). The median interval between aspiration and interventional procedure was 8 (min: 5 - max: 45) and 2 (min: 0 - max: 61) days in FBA cases with and without granulation tissue development, respectively. The median interval between aspiration and interventional procedure was significantly longer in those who developed granulation tissue (p=0.002).
Conclusions: FBA is an important health issue in childhood and can lead to morbidity and mortality. Foreign body aspirations should be considered time-sensitive due to the development of granulation tissue and potential accompanying complications.
Keywords
References
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