Page 4 - FIRST EDITION

What do parents need

to know about foreign

body aspiration or

choking in children.

Dr Rajesh Phatak MD, MRCPCH, He is currently working as
Pediatric Intensive Care Consultant at Burjeel Hospital, Abu

Dhabi UAE. He has had post-graduation in Mumbai, India and
further training in the UK. He was a Consultant in Pediatric

Intensive Care at Manchester Children Hospital, UK before he
moved to UAE.

What is choking? What are common causes

of choking in children?
Choking is when something becomes
stuck in a person’s breathing pipe, Objects:
making it di icult or impossible for them
to breathe. If the airway is partly blocked, Coins, Plastic toy parts, buttons, earrings,
the body tries to clear the airway by small magnets, metal hardware, and party
coughing. If the airway is completely balloons are common choking hazards.
blocked, the stuck item must be removed
or the child will not be able to breathe and Button batteries - They can be particularly
could die. Hence, it becomes pertinent to dangerous as they can cause tissue
remove any obstruction as soon as is damage within hours in addition to the
feasible. Prevention is even better. blockage. Urgent medical attention is
recommended for removal.
How common is it?
Foods:
Around the world, every day 3 children
choke to death. Round and rubbery foods such as grapes
can completely block a child’s airway.
Which age groups is it
most common in? Peanuts, other nuts, raw carrots, apples,
celery, popcorn, sunflower seeds, watermelon
Choking can occur in all age groups seeds, dried peas, fish bones, and dried
including adults. Children who are just fruit like raisins are also common choking
starting to explore feeding themselves hazards.
and are constantly putting things in their
mouths (between 7-12 months) are at
particular risk.

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