Inhaled Foreign Body Impaction: A Review of Literature in Malaysian Children

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Emergency Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Foreign body (FB) ingestion poses significant risks in children, potentially leading to severe complications and mortality.
• A review of Malaysian literature from 1970-2015 identified 42 pediatric cases of FB ingestion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence, types, and outcomes of foreign body ingestion in Malaysian children.
• To identify key preventive strategies and emergency measures for foreign body aspiration in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective publication review of reported cases in Malaysian children under 15 years old.
• Analysis of ingested foreign body types (food-related vs. non-food related) and patient demographics.
• Review of management strategies, including bronchoscopy, tracheostomy, and thoracotomy.

Main Results:

• Peanuts were the most common food-related foreign body, while metal and plastic objects were the most frequent non-food items.
• Food-related ingestions (30 cases) were more common than non-food related ingestions (7 cases).
• Bronchoscopy was successful in most cases; however, one case required thoracotomy for a peanut lodged in the bronchus.

Conclusions:

• Preventive measures include educating parents to restrict access to small objects and hazardous foods for children under 3 years old.
• Early implementation of age-appropriate emergency first aid, such as back blows and abdominal thrusts, can be effective.
• Raising awareness about foreign body ingestion risks and promoting preventive strategies are vital for child safety.