Obstructed airway; Blocked airway

FOR INHALED OBJECT

Any child who may have inhaled an object should be seen by a doctor. Children with obvious breathing trouble may have a total airway blockage that requires emergency medical attention.

If choking or coughing goes away, and the child does not have any other symptoms, he or she should be watched for signs and symptoms of infection or irritation. X-rays may be needed.

Bronchoscopy may be necessary to make a definitive diagnosis and to remove the object. Antibiotics and respiratory therapy techniques may be used if infection develops.

FOR SWALLOWED OBJECT

Any child who is believed to have swallowed a foreign object should be watched for pain, fever, vomiting, or local tenderness. Stools (bowel movements) should be checked to see if the object exited the body. This may sometimes cause rectal or anal bleeding.

Even sharp objects (such as pins and screws) usually pass through the GI tract without complications. X-rays are sometimes needed, especially if the child has pain or the object does not pass within 4 to 5 days.

DO NOT "force feed" infants who are crying or breathing rapidly.

Call a health care provider or local emergency number (such as 911) if you think a child has inhaled or swallowed a foreign object.

Images

Heimlich maneuver on an adult

Heimlich maneuver on infant

Heimlich maneuver on oneself

Heimlich maneuver on conscious child

Lungs

Heimlich maneuver on infant

Heimlich maneuver on adult

Heimlich maneuver on infant

Heimlich maneuver on conscious child

Review Date: 01/04/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)