Clinical and Radiographic Findings in Children With Foreign Body Aspiration: A 10-Year Cross-Sectional Study in a Tertiary Hospital Publisher



Eftekhari K ; Majd H ; Molaeeian M ; Alehossein S ; Tolouostadanyazd M ; Ghasempour Alamdari M ; Shafiei A
Source: Frontiers in Emergency Medicine Published:2025

Abstract

Objective: Aspiration of a foreign body in the airways of children is one of the important emergencies in children, which is associated with high mortality and morbidity if not diagnosed promptly or managed effectively. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and radiographic findings in children with foreign body aspiration. Methods: In a large cross-sectional retrospective study at a tertiary hospital from 2009 to 2019, children with foreign body aspiration were evaluated. The required information (demographics, clinical examination findings, and results of radiological and bronchoscopy reports) was extracted from the medical records of the patients in the hospital archive. Results: In this study, 330 patients were enrolled, 61.2% of whom were male. The mean age of the patients was 2.65±2.68 years. The average time interval from the onset of symptoms to the final diagnosis was 11.54 days. The most common location and type of aspirated foreign body were the right main bronchus (60%) and seeds (39.1%), respectively. Cough and decreased unilateral lung sounds were the most common clinical symptoms (91.5%) and physical findings (50.6%), respectively. The most common finding on chest X-ray was local emphysema (43%). Conclusion: Foreign body aspiration can lead to irreparable injuries if it is not recognized and managed promptly. Aspiration of a foreign body can result in serious harm if not quickly diagnosed and properly managed. Clinical suspicion of aspiration and the management of these children are critical. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.