Andrea de Melo Alexandre Fraga, Marcelo Conrado dos Reis, Mariana Porto Zambon, Ivan Contrera Toro, José Dirceu Ribeiro, Emilio Carlos Elias Baracat
Objective: To describe the clinical manifestations and bronchoscopic treatment of foreign body aspiration in children under 14 years of
age, correlating the clinical aspects with the bronchoscopic findings. Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study analyzing data related
to children under 14 years of age undergoing bronchoscopy due to clinical suspicion of foreign body aspiration at the State University at
Campinas Hospital das Clinicas from January of 2000 to December of 2005. Results: The sample consisted of 69 patients, ranging in age
from 8 months to 12 years/7 months (75.4% under 3 years of age), 62.3% of whom were male. The principal complaint was sudden-onset
cough (75.4%), auscultation was abnormal in 74%, and dyspnea was observed in 29%. Radiological abnormalities were seen in 88% of the
cases. Aspirations were primarily into the right lung (54.8%), and 30.7% of the foreign bodies were of vegetal origin (principally beans and
peanuts). In the follow-up period, 29% presented complications (most commonly pneumonia), which were found to be associated with
longer aspiration time (p = 0.03). Mechanical ventilation was required in 7 children (10.1%), and multiple bronchoscopies were performed
in 5 (7.2%). Conclusion: A history of sudden-onset choking and cough, plus abnormal auscultation and radiological findings, characterizes
the profile of foreign body aspiration. In such cases, bronchoscopy is indicated. Longer aspiration time translates to a higher the risk of
complications. The high prevalence of foreign bodies of vegetal origin underscores the relevance of prevention programs aimed at children
younger than 3 years of age.
Keywords: Foreign bodies; Bronchoscopy; Pediatrics.