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Pediatric autopsy case of asphyxia due to salmon egg (ikura) aspiration
Masataka Takamiya1, Hisae Niitsu2, Kiyoshi Saigusa3
1Department of Forensic Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Iwate, Japan. mtakamiy@iwate-med.ac.jp.
Insights
A 19-month-old girl tragically died from asphyxia after aspirating a salmon egg (ikura) into her airway. This case highlights the underreported risk of fish egg aspiration in young children.
Area of Science:
- Forensic Pathology
- Pediatric Medicine
Background:
- Food aspiration is a significant cause of accidental death in young children.
- Salmon eggs (ikura) are a common food item, but their potential as an airway obstruction hazard is not widely recognized.
Observation:
- An autopsy was performed on a 19-month-old girl who collapsed after aspirating a salmon egg.
- The patient's gastric contents included rice, orange, and salmon eggs.
- A single, 8 mm diameter salmon egg was identified obstructing the trachea.
Findings:
- The autopsy revealed signs of asphyxia, including lung congestion and over-inflation.
- Aspirated salmon egg was the direct cause of airway obstruction and subsequent death.
- Histological examination of the lungs showed atelectasis in the upper and middle lobes of the right lung.
Implications:
- This case underscores the critical need for increased awareness regarding the risk of fish egg aspiration in pediatric populations.
- Emphasizes the importance of implementing and reinforcing preventive measures for parents and caregivers during mealtimes.
- Suggests that fish egg aspiration may be an underreported cause of pediatric airway obstruction and mortality.
Abstract:
Here we report an autopsy case of asphyxia due to aspiration of a salmon egg (ikura) into the airway. The patient was a 19-month-old girl. During breakfast, she put salmon eggs into her mouth, and began to walk. She slipped, fell down, and collapsed. She was pronounced dead following 2 h of resuscitation. The body was autopsied 28 h after death. The gastric contents consisted of rice, orange sections, and white salmon eggs. The lungs were deeply congested and over-inflated. In the right lung, areas of atelectasis in the upper and middle lobes were seen. A yellow salmon egg (8 mm in diameter) was found in the trachea. Although fish eggs are consumed throughout the world, reports of this sort are limited. The aspiration of fish eggs is under-acknowledged and underreported. The importance of preventive measures needs to be emphasized to parents and caregivers.
