Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
Foreign body aspiration is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, that is frequently seen in childhood.
METHODS:
The records of 33 patients who were diagnosed with foreign body aspiration in the pediatric emergency service of our hospital between 3 November 2004 and 7 March 2011 were studied retrospectively, and their physical examination, laboratory and imaging findings were recorded. The costs of the examinations and treatments were calculated.
RESULTS:
The median age of the patients was 24 months (IQR 10-174). There were 19 girls (57,6%) and 14 boys(42,4%). The most frequently aspired foreign bodies were hazelnuts (n=9, 27,2%), sunflower seeds and needles (n=6, 18,2% for both). While bronchoscopy was performed on all patients, foreign body was found and taken out in 26 patients (78,8%). Average cost of the patients with foreign body aspiration was 362,5 (278-732) TL.
CONCLUSION:
Foreign body aspiration most frequently occurs from dried nuts and fruit in infancy and childhood.
Keywords: foreign body aspiration, emergency service, child
