Op. from Memorial Dicle Hospital Department of Pediatric Surgery. Dr. Taner Kamacı shared important information about swallowing foreign objects in children.
"Be careful with nuts and toys!"
Op. of Memorial Dicle Hospital, Department of Pediatric Surgery, said that the passage of any object into the trachea of children is defined as foreign body aspiration. Dr. Taner Kamacı said, “Foreign body aspirations are at the top of the lists of child deaths in developed countries. Organic and inorganic objects that the child may inhale into the trachea should be kept as far away from the child as possible, but if symptoms such as inhalation into the trachea and inability to breathe, bruising, suffocation and cough are observed, the nearest health institution should be immediately consulted. Children mostly eat hazelnuts, peanuts, walnuts, seeds, etc. They slip nuts into the windpipe. Apart from this, other foods that they eat by biting such as carrots, cucumbers, apples, small toy parts and all kinds of small objects can be passed into the windpipe. Before the age of 3, nuts should not be fed directly or should be given under parental supervision. Toys with small parts should not be purchased, toys should be chosen according to the age of the child. Disk batteries, such as watch batteries, should not be left lying around. "The child should not talk, laugh or run around with food in his mouth." he said.
"Care must be taken to remain calm"
Kiss. Dr. Taner Kamacı stated that foreign body aspiration often occurs at home and stated that families panic and are afraid because the child cannot breathe and continued: "If the child's breathing and bruising do not improve after aspiration, someone who knows emergency first aid should do it at home. Since it is not clear whether the foreign object has entered the trachea or the esophagus, the child whose bruising does not subside should first be checked inside the mouth, and if there is a visible foreign object, it should be removed with the finger, making sure that it does not go down.”
"Medical intervention should be done in a timely manner"
Op. underlines that foreign objects entering the trachea can completely block the trachea and result in sudden death. Dr. Taner Kamacı said, “If the right or left main bronchus is blocked, then the patient will complain of shortness of breath. If early intervention is not taken, the lung may swell and burst after a while, and air may fill the chest cavity, completely deflating the lung on that side. If a foreign object entering the windpipe is not obstructive, it may cause a lung infection. Bronchoscopy is performed to remove the foreign body that has entered the trachea. “The procedure often takes half an hour, but in some patients it may take longer.” He included his statements.