Ingestion of Foreign Bodies:

As we know  that small children are curious and  innocence children are notorious for inserting various object into their orifices like mouth, nose, ears, anus and  vagina. Aspiration of foreign bodies can  occur at any age but  is most common  in  older infants and children  in  the ages group of 1  to 3 years. Severity is determined by  the location, type of object aspirated, the extent of obstruction. For example, peanuts, seeds, nuts,.popcorn, Bengalgram and other vegetable, small pieces, etc. are inserted. A sharp or irritating object produces irritation and edema, latex balloonq (inflated, uninflated or broken  pieces) are especially hazardous, object such as safety pins, parts of broken  toys, beads, button, and coin. An  object of sufficient size obstructing a passage can  produce various changes including atelectasis, emphysema,  inflammation and abscess. ' Manifestation Very  small object may  not  cause respiratory obstruction, but  later on  an obstructed object may  produce atelectasis, bronchicetasis, pulmonary abscess  and  emphysema,  foreign  body  in the air passage produce  choaking, gagging  or coughing. Laryngotracheal obstruction  causes dyspnea, cough,  stridor, cyanosis and hoarseness. Bronchial obstruction usually produce cough, wheezing, asymmetric  breath  sound, decreased airway entry  and  dyspnea.  Child  become unconscious and  dies of asphyxia  if  the object  is not removed. 

Treatment 

• Laryngioscopic or  bronchoscopic removal of foreign body. If the object  is lodged  in the larynx,  tracheostomy may  be  necessary  to maintain respiration until further treatment  is given. 
• After  removing foreign body  the child  is placed  in a high humidity atmosphere.
• Antibiotics may be administered  to prevent secondary infection.
• Observation  of  the child  for  further  signs  is necessary.