A foreign body in the throat can
cause choking and is a medical emergency that needs immediate attention. The foreign
body can get stuck in many different places within the airway. According to the American
Academy of Pediatrics, death by choking is a leading cause of death and injury among
children younger than 4 years of age.
As with other foreign body
problems, children tend to put things into their mouths when they are bored or curious.
The child may then inhale deeply and the object may become lodged in the "airway"
tube
(trachea) instead of the "eating" tube (esophagus). Food may block the throat in
children who don't have a full set of teeth to chew completely, or those children
who
simply don't chew their food well. Children also don't have complete coordination
of the
mouth and tongue, which may also lead to problems. Children under the age of 4 years
are
in the greatest danger of choking on small objects, including:
Children need to be watched very
closely to prevent a choking emergency.
Foreign body ingestion needs
immediate medical attention. The following are the most common symptoms that may mean
a
child is choking:
-
Choking or gagging when the object is first inhaled
-
Coughing at first
-
Wheezing (a whistling sound, usually made when the child breathes out)
Although the initial symptoms
listed above may resolve, the foreign body may still be blocking the airway. The
following symptoms may mean that the foreign body is still blocking an airway:
-
Stridor (a high-pitched sound usually heard when the child breathes)
-
Cough that gets worse
-
Child can't speak
-
Pain in the throat area or chest
-
Hoarse voice
-
Blueness around the lips
-
Not breathing
-
The child becoming
unconscious
Treatment of the problem varies
with the degree of airway blockage. If the object is completely blocking the airway,
the
child will be unable to breathe or talk and their lips will become blue. This is a
medical emergency and you should seek emergency medical care. Do basic life support
treatment for choking if you have been trained. Sometimes, surgery is needed to remove
the object. Children who are still talking and breathing but show other symptoms also
need to be evaluated by a healthcare professional right away.
To prevent choking:
-
Cut foods into small pieces
-
Never let small children run, play, or lie down while eating
-
Keep coins and small items out of reach of your children
-
Read warning labels on toys
-
Learn first aid for choking