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Esophageal foreign body aspiration presenting as asthma in the pediatric patient

Shireen Mohiuddin1, M Saif-ur-Rehman Siddiqui, James F Mayhew

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA.

Southern Medical Journal
|January 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Foreign body ingestion in children can mimic asthma or respiratory infections. Persistent symptoms despite treatment warrant further investigation to ensure accurate diagnosis and timely care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Emergency Medicine
  • Diagnostic Challenges

Background:

  • Asthma and upper respiratory tract infections are common pediatric diagnoses.
  • Foreign body ingestion can present with overlapping symptoms, leading to diagnostic delays.

Observation:

  • Three pediatric cases are presented where foreign body ingestion was initially misdiagnosed.
  • Patients exhibited symptoms consistent with asthma and/or upper respiratory tract infections for over a month.

Findings:

  • Misdiagnosis of foreign body ingestion as respiratory conditions is a significant concern.
  • Delayed diagnosis can result from a lack of comprehensive clinical investigation.

Implications:

  • Highlights the critical need for thorough clinical evaluation in non-responsive pediatric respiratory cases.
  • Emphasizes considering foreign body ingestion in the differential diagnosis of persistent pediatric respiratory symptoms.
  • Suggests improved diagnostic protocols may be necessary to prevent prolonged illness and ensure patient safety.

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