Clinical manifestations of inhaled foreign bodies in the respiratory tracts in children

ABSTRACT

Inhalation of foreign bodies is not uncommon in children, and foreign bodies usually descend to the right bronchi. Some of these children seek medical advice immediately, but others may become asymptomatic after the initial stage of inhalation and seek treatment later for secondary manifestations due to the presence of the foreign body in the respiratory tract. In this study 17 children-11 with suspected inhaled foreign bodies and six with unresolved chest infections-were treated,. Foreign bodies were recovered from nine of 11 children suspected of having inhaled foreign bodies and four of six with persistent chest infections. A child with chronic chest infection who does respond well to the usual treatment should be considered for endoscopy to exclude the presence of a foreign body in his or her respiratory tract