A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY ON EVOLVING TRENDS IN LOWER AIRWAY FOREIGN BODIES IN INDIAN CHILDREN AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction Foreign body (FB) in the pediatric airway is a prevailing and crucial emergency with presenting symptoms often overlapping with other common pediatric conditions.[ ] The best way to manage it is an early diagnosis and a rigid bronchoscopy removal under general anesthesia used by fully trained staff . Lack of proper health education, superstitions, negligence from parents side and lack of availability of timely and expert medical help results in delayed or inadequate management. . A foreign body aspiration into the respiratory tract is a serious condition of the respiratory [2 ] system, characterised by a variability of medical history, symptoms and prognosis. Methodology This study was a retrospective conducted from Jan 2018 to Dec 2022.We selected a series of 50 patients under the age of 5 yrs conducted in the Department of ENT of M.G.M Medical College and M.Y.Hospital Indore(MP). Discussion In our study highest incidence of FB was seen in the children between the age group of 1-3years which is more common because toddlers of this age group are prone to put anything coming in their hands in mouth as they explore the world. This is clearly evident in our study that the incidence of FB is more in rural areas. Tracheobronchial metallic foreign bodies early detection and removal is necessary to avoid life threatening respiratory complication. Foreign body aspiration is Conclusion a common but largely preventable problem and every case of a respiratory distress should be suspected for foreign body. Rigid Bronchoscopy is the gold standard for the diagnosis and the most safe treatment method for foreign body removal. Use of optical forceps is advantages not only for foreign body removal but also for educational, teaching, learning, record keeping & medicolegal purpose also.