Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Handheld Metal Detector Screening for Metallic Foreign Body Ingestion in Children
Published on: September 11, 2018
Pediatric respiratory tract foreign bodies in children: A systematic review
Satanee Ngamsanga1, Vannipa Vathanophas2, Kitirat Ungkanont2
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand.
Insights
Foreign bodies in a child's airway are serious emergencies. Rapid diagnosis and removal are crucial to prevent life-threatening complications like pneumonia and death.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Respiratory System
- Foreign Body Aspiration
Background:
- Pediatric airway foreign bodies (FBs) are a frequent cause of emergency department visits and respiratory failure.
- Respiratory failure due to FBs can lead to cardiopulmonary arrest in children.
Approach:
- A systematic literature review was conducted using PubMed and Embase.
- 2035 studies were initially identified, with 7 qualitative articles ultimately included after rigorous screening and exclusion criteria.
Key Points:
- Children aged 1-3 years are most commonly affected by airway FBs, often organic materials like seeds.
- The right primary bronchus is the most frequent site of obstruction.
- Severe complications include pneumonia, atelectasis, pneumothorax, and death; diagnosis duration is a key factor.
Conclusions:
- Airway FB obstruction in children is a critical, potentially fatal condition.
- Outcomes depend on FB location, type, removal time, and initial resuscitation.
- Prompt diagnosis and parental education are vital for preventing severe complications and mortality.
Objective:
Pediatric respiratory emergencies of airway foreign body (FB) are a common cause of visits to the emergency department (ED) and respiratory failure is a major cause of cardiopulmonary arrest. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the literature and update our current understanding of pediatric respiratory tract FBs in children by clearly considering the aspect of the complications and related factors.
Methods:
A systematic search of PubMed and Embase yielded a total of 2035 studies related to the respiratory tract FB in children. After screening the abstracts, 118 articles were included for analysis. However, 56 articles were excluded due to the published data more than 10 years. Meanwhile, 6 articles were duplicated and 3 articles were the secondary data. Thus, 53 full text articles were assessed for eligibility. Then, 46 full text articles were excluded due to irrelevant contents. Finally, there were 7 qualitative articles in this systematic review.
Results:
Most children with FBs in the aerodigestive tract are 1-3 years of age. Most FBs are organic, especially seeds. The most commonly obstructed airway is the right primary bronchus. The most common and severe complications are pneumonia, pulmonary atelectasis, lung consolidation, pneumothorax, bronchiectasis, and death. The main device for the removal of FBs from the airways is a rigid bronchoscope. Duration of diagnosis is major factors that related with severe complication.
Conclusion:
FBs obstructive conditions in respiratory tract of children are serious and life-threatening conditions. The likelihood of death depends on the location of the obstruction, the nature of FB, time to removal, and initial resuscitation. Moreover, even after a FB has been removed, complications can lead to death. Educating parents and immediate treatment is very important. Rapid diagnosis is important factor to prevent complication.
