Choking Incident Highlights Dangers of Foreign Objects in Children’s Airways

A choking incident involving an 8-month-old boy has brought attention to the dangers of foreign objects in children’s airways. The boy was playing with a mango when he suddenly coughed, cried, and had difficulty breathing. Despite two failed endoscopy attempts at City Children’s Hospital, doctors at Children’s Hospital 2 were able to successfully remove a mango stem lodged in the boy’s airway using specialized equipment.

The mother explained that she patted her son’s back to calm him down when he started choking but struggled to breathe the next morning, prompting them to rush him to the hospital. Dr. Le Thi Thanh Thao from Children’s Hospital 2 emphasized the importance of preventing foreign objects from entering children’s airways, especially in younger children who tend to explore and put things in their mouths.

Parents should educate their children on avoiding small objects in their mouths and provide immediate first aid if choking occurs. It is crucial to seek medical help promptly in such situations to prevent serious complications like life-threatening blockage of oxygen flow by foreign objects in the airway.