Neonates are special

Abstract

Inhaled foreign bodies

Symptoms of inhaled foreign bodies (FB) vary widely from acute respiratory distress to minor coughing episodes. The effects may however, be profound, e.g. life-threatening asphyxia, to pneumonic episodes, bronchiectasis, emphysema and lung abscess leading to empyema. Occasionally a major surgical procedure may be necessary, where the involved lung may have to be removed.
A high index of suspicion is always required. Accurate history taken from the parents, physical observation and auscultation, are the most important factors in diagnosing the possibility of retained FB. Finally hyper-inflation / collapse/ consolidation seen on an X-ray chest may help in diagnosing non-radioopaque FB.
An inhaled peanut is the one of the most notorious FB as it may be very difficult to be removed.