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Published on: August 7, 2017
[Laryngotracheobronchial foreign body in children: predictive factors of respiratory sequelae]
F Tinsa1, S Yahyaoui, M Jallouli
1Service de médecine infantile B, hôpital d'Enfants de Tunis, Place Bab Saadoun, Jabbari, Tunis, Tunisie.
Insights
Foreign body inhalation in children is a serious event. Prolonged foreign body presence (over 84 hours) significantly increases the risk of long-term respiratory problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Emergency Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Inhalation of foreign bodies in the airway is a critical pediatric emergency.
- It can lead to severe, long-term respiratory compromise and affect a child's quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors predicting respiratory sequelae after laryngotracheobronchial foreign body inhalation.
- To understand the long-term outcomes of pediatric foreign body aspiration.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 60 children over nine years (2000-2008).
- Analysis of clinical data, imaging (radiographs), and follow-up assessments (clinical, radiological, scintigraphic).
- Statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Main Results:
- 80% of foreign bodies were organic material; 83.7% presented with penetration syndrome.
- Respiratory sequelae occurred in 10 children, with bronchial dilatation in four.
- Foreign body presence exceeding 84 hours was correlated with respiratory sequelae.
Conclusions:
- Foreign body inhalation is a significant risk, particularly for male infants.
- Clinical, radiological, and scintigraphic follow-up is crucial for managing affected children.
- Early intervention is key to preventing long-term respiratory complications.
Background:
Inhalation of laryngotracheobronchial foreign body in children is a serious accident that may compromise the prognosis of the child and the respiratory function in the long term.
Aim:
identify the predictive factors of respiratory sequelae of laryngotracheobronchial foreign body inhalation.
Methods:
This retrospective study was conducted in the children hospital of Tunis during a period of nine years (2000 - 2008). In all statistical tests, the significance level was set at 0.05.
Results:
60 children were included in the study. The average age was 24.9 +/- 3.4 months. 2 / 3 of the children were boys. The foreign body was plant in 80% of cases. The penetration syndrome was reported in 83.7% of cases. The average time of stay of foreign body was 14 days. The chest radiograph was abnormal in 77.4% of cases. Endoscopic extraction was performed in 59 cases and a pneumectomy was conducted in one child. 30 children were followed for an average of 23 months. 18 children had not respiratory sequelae (clinical, radiological and scintigraphic). 10 children had respiratory sequelae (clinical and radiological and/or scintigraphic) at the last follow-up and four patients developed bronchial dilatation. Respiratory sequelae were correlated with the stay period of the foreign body exceeding 84H. Neither age, nor sex, nor the nature of foreign body or its location, nor the presence of radiological opacity at the initial radiograph, were predictive factors of respiratory sequelae.
Conclusion:
The inhalation of foreign body is a serious accident affecting essentially male infants. Clinical, radiological and scintigraphic follow up is mandatory.
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