Fatal Aspiration of Foreign Bodies in Infants and Children. (1st February 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bamber, Andrew R.; Pryce, Jeremy; Ashworth, Michael; Sebire, Neil J
• Is Part Of: Fetal and pediatric pathology. Volume 33:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 42
• Page End: 48
• Publication Date: 2014-02-01
• Subjects: Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Pediatric pathology -- Periodicals; Fetal Diseases -- pathology -- Periodicals; Infant, Newborn, Diseases -- pathology -- Periodicals; Pediatrics -- Periodicals; 618.92007
• DOI: 10.3109/15513815.2013.846446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1551-3815

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <italic>Purpose</italic>: To investigate the frequency, circumstances, demographics and autopsy findings of infants and children dying as a result of foreign body aspiration. <italic>Methods</italic>: Retrospective review of autopsy cases in children aged between seven days and 18 years, at one specialist centre over a 16-year period, in which death was the result of aspiration of a foreign body. <italic>Results</italic>: Ten cases were identified out of a total autopsy population of 2165. Only one individual had an underlying diagnosis potentially contributing to aspiration. All but one case involved aspiration of food, with grapes being a feature of four cases. In cases with a prolonged survival interval, autopsy demonstrated bronchopneumonia and hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy. In the remaining cases autopsy findings were non-specific. <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Fatal aspiration of a foreign body is rare in this population. The cases involve normal children who aspirate food, particularly grapes. There are typically minimal, non-specific findings at autopsy.</p> </abstract>