ABSTRACT 815

Abstract

Background and aims: Foreign Body (FB) aspiration is an common emergency condition in children below 2 years.Delay in diagnosis may cause increasing morbidity and mortality with acute and chronic pulmonary conditions.we report our experience in children with suspected foreign body aspiration. Aims: Clinical profile of children who underwent bronchoscopy for suspected foreign body. Methods: All children with clinical suspicion of foreign body aspiration, who underwent bronchoscopy from emergency room or paediatric wards during a period of 4 years (2007 to 2011) were analysed by reviewing the charts. Results: Out of the 140 children who had suspected foreign body aspiration and underwent rigid bronchoscopy by paediatric surgeons, 105 (75%) retrieved FB. Majority of the children were below two years (121, 86%). 97 (69%) were boys. History of choking and foreign body were obtained in 40% and 15% respectively.Majority of aspirated material were organic in nature (81%) which included Peanut (60,57%), Custard apple seeds (10,9.5%), Arecanut (4,3%). The inorganic material (16, 15%) found were Screw, Pencap, LED bulb and Hairpin. CXR in ER was normal in 51 (36%), of these 28 (20%) had FB.The Xray findings noted were obstructive emphysema 34 (24%) unilateral collapse 13 (9.2%) and FB was visible in 10 (7.1%) children. 55 (52%) children had FB in Right bronchus, 39 (37%) in left bronchus.Foreign body was seen in Trachea and both bronchus in 7 (7.6%), 3 (2%) children respectively.The average stay in hospital was 2.9 days.One child died before retrival of FB and two children developed tracheal tear as complication. Conclusions: Age group and the common object aspirated (Peanuts) reflects the local cultural feeding habits. Strong clinical suspicion is mandatory as significant percentage (20%) of children with FB has normal CXR.