Foreign object - inhaled

Children ages 6 months to 3 years are in the age group most likely to breathe in (inhale) a foreign object. These items may include nuts, coins, toys, balloons, or other small items or foods.

Young children can easily inhale small foods (nuts, seeds, or popcorn) and objects (buttons, beads, or parts of toys) when playing or eating. This may cause a partial or total airway blockage . Young children have smaller airways than adults. They also can't move enough air when coughing to dislodge an object.…

Symptoms include: Choking Coughing Difficulty speaking No breathing or breathing trouble (respiratory distress) Turning blue, red or white in the face Wheezing Chest, throat or neck pain Sometimes, only minor symptoms are seen at first. The object may be forgotten until symptoms such as inflammation or infection…

First aid may be performed on an infant or older child who has inhaled an object. First aid measures include: Back blows or chest compressions for infants. Abdominal thrusts for older children. If the infant or child continues to have trouble breathing, they might need emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Be sure…

Do not force feed infants who are crying or breathing rapidly. This may cause the baby to inhale liquid or solid food into their airway.

Contact your provider or call 911 or the local emergency number if you think a child has inhaled a foreign object.

Preventive measures include: Keep small objects out of the reach of young children. Discourage talking, laughing, or playing while food is in the mouth. Do not give potentially dangerous foods such as hot dogs, whole grapes, nuts, popcorn, food with bones, or hard candy to children under age 3. Teach children to avoid…

Gorelik M, Schroeder JW. Foreign bodies in the airway. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 435. Hairston TK, McNamara L. Emergency and critical care management. In: Kleinman K, Mcdaniel L, Molloy M, eds. Harriet Lane…