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Bronchial foreign body: an unusual form of child abuse

Raman Wadhera1, S P Gulati, Ajay Garg

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Pt. B.D. Sharma, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India. dr.wadhera@yahoo.com

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|November 13, 2007
PubMed

Insights

A nail lodged in a 4-month-old infant's airway was successfully removed using rigid bronchoscopy. This rare case highlights the importance of suspecting child abuse in non-ambulant infants with foreign bodies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Child Abuse Recognition
  • Medical Case Reports

Background:

  • Bronchial foreign bodies are a frequent occurrence in children, necessitating prompt diagnosis and intervention.
  • While common, foreign body aspiration can sometimes be indicative of non-accidental trauma or child abuse.
  • Early identification and management are crucial for preventing serious respiratory complications.

Observation:

  • A 4-month-old infant presented with a foreign body lodged in the right bronchus.
  • The foreign body was identified as a nail, a highly unusual object for this age group.
  • The infant was non-ambulant, a factor that raises suspicion for potential abuse.

Findings:

  • Rigid bronchoscopy was performed for the removal of the bronchial foreign body.
  • The nail was successfully extracted from the right bronchus without immediate complications.
  • The procedure confirmed the presence and location of the foreign body.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the critical need to consider child abuse in non-ambulant infants presenting with foreign bodies.
  • Healthcare providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for non-accidental trauma in such pediatric cases.
  • Prompt and accurate diagnosis through procedures like bronchoscopy is vital for positive patient outcomes.

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