Clinical characteristics of aero-digestive foreign bodies in neurologically impaired children.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if children with neurological impairment are at additional risk for foreign body aspiration or impaction and if they present with a different clinical course than normal children.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
Tertiary care children's hospital.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 328 consecutive procedures for aero-digestive foreign body removal over a 6 year period was performed. Of these patients 52 (15.9%) were identified with neurological impairment.


RESULTS
Compared with the non-impaired children, those with neurological impairment were older, diagnosed later, hospitalized longer and had a higher incidence of complications.


CONCLUSIONS
A greater index of suspicion is needed to timely treat aero-digestive foreign bodies in children with neurological impairment. These children may not be receiving the necessary attention when presenting with non-specific symptoms.
DeRowe
Ari
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Tel-Aviv Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University 6 Weizman St., 64239, Israel. derowe@netvision.net.il
Massick
Doug
D
Beste
David J
DJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003679:Deglutition; D004064:Digestive System; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D001239:Inhalation; D008297:Male; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications*; D012137:Respiratory System; D013997:Time Factors