Assessment and Management of Foreign Body Aspiration in Children - A Narrative Review

Foreign body aspiration is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population. It is also a relatively common presentation in children, especially those under the age of 3 years old. Prompt recognition and management are essential to prevent life-threatening airway obstruction and long-term pulmonary complications. However, the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration remains a significant clinical challenge due to non-specific presentation and high variable physical examination findings. Typically, chest radiography is a first-line radiological investigation in children presenting with suspected foreign body aspiration. However, it is associated with poor sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing foreign body inhalation. Chest computed tomography provides improved sensitivity and specificity, however, it may still fail to identify small or organic foreign bodies. Its use in clinical practice is also limited by the need for patient sedation and exposure to high doses of radiation. Flexible and rigid bronchoscopy are central to both definitive diagnosis and treatment, with rigid bronchoscopy being considered as the gold standard for foreign body retrieval. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are associated with improved outcomes and reduced complications in pediatric patients.Foreign body aspiration is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric population. It is also a relatively common presentation in children, especially those under the age of 3 years old. Prompt recognition and management are essential to prevent life-threatening airway obstruction and long-term pulmonary complications. However, the diagnosis of foreign body aspiration remains a significant clinical challenge due to non-specific presentation and high variable physical examination findings. Typically, chest radiography is a first-line radiological investigation in children presenting with suspected foreign body aspiration. However, it is associated with poor sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing foreign body inhalation. Chest computed tomography provides improved sensitivity and specificity, however, it may still fail to identify small or organic foreign bodies. Its use in clinical practice is also limited by the need for patient sedation and exposure to high doses of radiation. Flexible and rigid bronchoscopy are central to both definitive diagnosis and treatment, with rigid bronchoscopy being considered as the gold standard for foreign body retrieval. Early diagnosis and timely intervention are associated with improved outcomes and reduced complications in pediatric patients.