Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 21, 2026

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
04:55

Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children

Published on: September 11, 2018

Tracheobronchial foreign bodies in infants

A M Shubha1, Kanishka Das

  • 1Department of Neonatal and Paediatric Surgery, St. John's Medical College Hospital, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Johnnagara, Bangalore 560034, India.

International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology
|August 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study highlights that tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (FBA) in infants often presents with cough, respiratory distress, and stridor. Prompt diagnosis and bronchoscopic intervention lead to favorable outcomes with no mortality.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Otolaryngology
  • Emergency Medicine

Background:

  • Tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a frequent cause of respiratory distress in young children.
  • Existing literature primarily focuses on toddlers, with limited data on infants.
  • This study specifically addresses FBA in infants, a vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the clinical presentation of FBA in infants.
  • To analyze the management strategies employed for infant FBA.
  • To evaluate the outcomes of infants treated for tracheobronchial foreign bodies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 102 infants undergoing bronchoscopy for suspected FBA (1997-2007).
  • Analysis of demographic data, clinical features, and diagnostic findings.
  • Evaluation of post-bronchoscopy events and patient outcomes.

Main Results:

  • The commonest foreign body was a peanut cotyledon.
  • The clinical triad of cough, respiratory distress, and stridor was highly predictive.
  • Despite challenges like normal initial findings, bronchoscopy ensured successful retrieval with no mortality.
  • Average hospital stay was 1.4 days, with all infants asymptomatic at follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • A high index of suspicion is crucial for diagnosing FBA in infants.
  • Combining history, physical signs, and radiology improves diagnostic accuracy.
  • Expertise and endoscopic equipment are vital for favorable outcomes in infant FBA.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation11:19

Guidelines for Elective Pediatric Fiberoptic Intubation

Published on: January 17, 2011

Related Concept Videos

Trachea01:22

Trachea

The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is a vital part of the human respiratory system. It serves as a passageway for air to travel between the larynx and the bronchi, allowing oxygen to reach the lungs. Let's explore its anatomical features, dimensions, layers of the tracheal wall, associated muscles, and the functions of its parts.
Anatomical Features:
Location: About half of the trachea is situated in the neck, anterior to the esophagus, and extends from the larynx (at the level of the...
The Bronchial Tree01:23

The Bronchial Tree

The human bronchi and bronchial tree play a crucial role in the respiratory system, facilitating the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Let's delve into the intricate structure and functions of these respiratory components.
The trachea, commonly known as the windpipe, is a tube that connects the larynx (voice box) to the bronchi. At a point called the carina, it bifurcates into two primary bronchi. The right primary bronchus is wider, shorter, and more vertical than the left primary...
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation01:17

Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation

In terms of human respiration, the act of expelling air, known as exhalation (or expiration), operates on the principle of pressure gradients. During expiration, the pressure within the lungs exceeds that of the surrounding atmosphere. Under normal conditions, quiet breathing involves passive exhalation and is free of muscular contractions. This is because the exhalation process is driven by the natural elastic recoil of the lungs and chest wall, both of which have an inherent tendency to...
Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract01:29

Microbiota of the Respiratory Tract

The human respiratory tract, comprising the upper and lower segments, serves as a critical interface with the external environment. The upper respiratory tract (URT)—including the nostrils, sinuses, pharynx, and oropharynx—is heavily colonized by microbes, while the lower respiratory tract (LRT), composed of the larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs, was long thought to be sterile. However, recent molecular studies have revealed that the lungs are not devoid of microbes but act more like...
Anatomy of Respiratory System II: Lower Respiratory Tract01:31

Anatomy of Respiratory System II: Lower Respiratory Tract

The lower respiratory tract is anatomically composed of several vital structures, including the larynx, trachea, bronchial tree, alveoli, lungs, and pleurae. Each component has a specific function, and all are intricately connected to ensure efficient respiration.
The Larynx
It is located between the pharynx and the trachea, acts as a passageway for air, and hosts several critical structures, such as the epiglottis, vocal cords, and glottis. The epiglottis acts as a gateway, guiding food to the...
Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...