Peds

Pediatric foreign body aspiration

Before / During / After / Pitfalls

Before

• Keep child calm if partial obstruction; avoid converting partial to complete obstruction.
• Call ENT/anesthesia/peds surgery/bronchoscopy resources early.
• Prepare suction, Magills if object visible, and age-appropriate airway rescue.

During

• If complete obstruction, use age-appropriate obstruction maneuvers and rescue pathway.
• Do not blindly sweep or push object distally.
• If intubating, anticipate object movement and difficult ventilation.

After

• Bronchoscopy/imaging/observation depending on object and symptoms.
• Treat aspiration, edema, or pneumothorax if present.
• Debrief whether oxygenation or object removal was the priority.

Pitfalls

• Agitating a child with partial obstruction.
• Blind finger sweep.
• Assuming normal CXR excludes foreign body.