Supraglottic Foreign Body Missed for One Month in a Child

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Emergency Medicine
• Pediatric Pulmonology

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration in children is a common pediatric emergency.
• Delayed diagnosis can lead to significant morbidity and mortality.
• Prompt recognition and intervention are crucial for airway management.

Observation:

• A one-year-old girl presented with persistent hoarseness and noisy breathing one month after choking on a rice bolus.
• Initial treatment at local clinics focused on upper respiratory tract infection.
• Symptoms persisted, indicating a potential underlying airway obstruction.

Findings:

• The case highlights a delayed diagnosis of foreign body aspiration.
• Persistent respiratory symptoms following choking warrant further investigation beyond standard infection protocols.
• Otolaryngology evaluation is essential for non-resolving pediatric respiratory issues.

Implications:

• Emphasizes the critical role of otolaryngology consultation in pediatric choking incidents.
• Highlights the need for heightened clinical suspicion for foreign body aspiration in children with persistent respiratory symptoms.
• Underscores the potential to prevent severe airway compromise, morbidity, and mortality through timely surgical intervention.