Foreign bodies from the upper-aerodigestive tract of children in Puerto Rico

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence management, and complications of foreign bodies in the upper aerodigestive tract of children in Puerto Rico. The records of children admitted to the University Pediatric Hospital of Puerto Rico were revised from January 1, 1989 to December 31, 1994. 51 children had foreign body in their airway and 107 children had foreign body in their digestive trac (a total of 158 patients) These records were examined for age, gender, previous medical illness, clinical presentation, radiographic studies, removal technique, complications, and hospital stay. The most common age in both groups was 1 year old children. Of the 51 foreign bodies aspirations, 25 were boys and 26 were girls; and of the 107 ingestion, 67 were boys and 40 were girls. The most common times of the year were during the summer and winter months. The diagnosis of foreign body aspiration or ingestion was made in 6 hours or less in only 68 of the 158 cases. The most common signs were vomiting, coughing, and choking episode (44 cases). X-rays were positive in 146 cases (92.4%). The most common foreign body ingestion was coins and aspiration was peanuts. There were no complications on 129 cases (81.6%). The most common complication was pneumonia with 19 cases. The mean hospital stay was 3 days. In general, foreign body aspiration or ingestion are common events that can be prevented in the pediatric age. Parental education is important at this stage. If the event can't be prevented then a rapid management must be given to those patients with positive history of an adult witness of the event and a high level of suspicion for those patients with no reported event of choking or witness present.