Airway obstruction by a child's pacifier--could flange design be safer?
The use of pacifiers (dummies or soothers) for infants is prevalent. Rare episodes of an adverse consequence must be taken seriously. We report a case of aspiration of a pacifier by a 6-month-old baby. Nine similar cases were found in the literature since 1966. The details of these cases are outlined and changes to flange design proposed ahead of a new European Union Standard document.


CONCLUSIONS
Pacifier ventilation holes are essential, flanges should have a minimum horizontal and vertical diameter of 43 mm. Rings should be attached to the flange to facilitate removal if aspirated.
Simkiss
D E
DE
Department of Paediatrics, City Hospital, Birmingham, UK.
Sheppard
I
I
Pal
B R
BR
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care; D014139:Tracheostomy