Citation

George TR. JAAPA 2020; 33(2): 29-31.

Affiliation

Tim R. George is an active duty US Air Force PA in emergency medicine at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Miss. The author has disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, American Academy of Physicians Assistants)

DOI

10.1097/01.JAA.0000615480.69807.99

PMID

31990831

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration is a true medical emergency and is the fifth most common cause of mortality due to unintentional injury in the United States. Children who have aspirated a foreign body may present with a variety of symptoms, from mild irritation and cough to respiratory failure. Treatment is removal of the foreign body, often via rigid bronchoscopy. Clinicians must have a high degree of suspicion to ensure a foreign body aspiration is not missed on initial presentation.

Language: en