Profile of Pediatric patients with Foreign Body Aspiration requiring Bronchoscopy in a Tertiary Care Center

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Otolaryngology
• Pulmonology

Background:

• Foreign body aspiration (FBA) is a significant pediatric emergency, particularly in children under five.
• It represents the fourth leading cause of accidental death in children under three.
• Immature airway reflexes and oral exploration behaviors contribute to FBA risk in young children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize pediatric patients undergoing bronchoscopy for FBA.
• To identify common clinical presentations, complications, and foreign body types.
• To determine the most frequent location of foreign body lodgment in the airway.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of clinical data from April 2021 to April 2024.
• Inclusion of pediatric patients under 14 years undergoing rigid bronchoscopy for suspected FBA.
• Analysis of patient profiles, presenting symptoms, foreign body characteristics, and procedural outcomes.

Main Results:

• Highest incidence of FBA observed in children aged 1-3 years (43.2%), with males predominantly affected (73%).
• Cough and wheezing were the most frequent presenting symptoms (19 cases).
• Organic foreign bodies (peanuts, beans) were most common (22 cases), with the right main bronchus being the most frequent lodgment site (22 cases). Post-procedural pneumonia occurred in 5 cases.

Conclusions:

• Foreign body aspiration predominantly impacts young children, with organic materials being the most common type.
• Rigid bronchoscopy is the established gold standard for diagnosing and treating pediatric FBA.
• Timely intervention is crucial to mitigate potential complications associated with FBA.