Frequency of signs and symptoms in children with foreign body aspiration: A retrospective study in Iran

Foreign body aspiration is still one of the most important diagnostic and therapeutic items for physicians. The mortality rate and prevalence of diseases caused by foreign bodies are higher in children due to the relatively narrow airway and immature protective mechanisms. Considering the high prevalence of foreign body aspiration in children, as well as the possible complications, we decided to investigate the frequency distribution of signs and symptoms in children with foreign body aspiration. This retrospective cross-sectional study was performed on the files of 50 children with foreign body aspiration who referred to Khatam Al-Anbia Hospital in Zahedan, Iran from 2016 to 2018. The files were entered into the study by the census method, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, demographic factors (age and sex), as well as the type of aspirated object, signs, and symptoms, were examined. The files of 50 children with a foreign body aspiration were reviewed. Among the patients, 27 (54%) were boys and 23 (46%) were girls. The highest frequency was between 1 and 2 years, with 36%. The most common symptom in these patients was cough and respiratory distress with a frequency of 72% and the most common clinical findings were unilateral wheezing with 50% and decreased unilateral respiratory sounds with 18%. Also, the most common types of foreign objects were nuts with a frequency of 44% and supari with 38%. Also, unilateral wheezing had a significant relationship with the type of aspirated foreign body (P = 0.01). Children between the ages of one and two years are more likely to have foreign body aspiration, and in children with symptoms of cough and respiratory distress, as well as clinical findings of unilateral wheezing and decreased unilateral respiratory sounds, foreign body aspiration should be suspected.