ABSTRACT
Foreign body aspiration is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition, that is frequently seen in childhood.
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.
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.
Foreign body aspiration most frequently occurs from dried nuts and fruit in infancy and childhood.
Keywords: foreign body aspiration, emergency service, child