Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Airway Obstruction

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: June 2002
Last Revision Date: June 2002

• What is airway obstruction?
• What can cause it?
• Who is at risk?
• How can it be prevented?
• How can I tell if my child is choking?
• How is it treated?

What is airway obstruction?

• Airway obstruction is when something prevents air from reaching the lungs and the brain.
• Lack of oxygen to the brain can result in brain damage or even death.
• Airway obstruction is one of the most common childhood accidents.

What can cause it?

• Airway obstruction can be caused by choking, suffocation, or strangulation.
• Children can choke on small objects, such as pieces of food or small parts of toys.
• Children can suffocate on an item that blocks their nose and mouth. Blankets and stuffed animals are two examples.
• Children can be strangled by strings tied around their necks or dangling cords.

Who is at risk?

• Children under 1 year old are at greatest risk for airway obstruction.
• Children under age 4 are at risk for choking on food. They may not chew their food well enough.
• Because children under age 4 put almost everything in their mouths, they are at risk for choking on small items, such as parts of toys, coins, beads, etc.
• Children under age 4 have smaller airways that are more easily blocked.
• Infants who cannot yet lift their heads are especially at risk for suffocation and strangulation. They are not yet strong enough to lift or pull their heads from tight places.

How can it be prevented?

• Take your child to the doctor for regular checkups. As your child grows and reaches new milestones, your doctor will give you safety tips that can help prevent airway obstruction.
• For more information, read about sudden infant death syndrome, childproofing your home, foreign bodies, and toy safety.
• Infants should sleep on their backs on a firm mattress.
• Do not put stuffed animals, pillows, or other things in your child's crib.
• Keep small, interesting, shiny objects out of children's reach.
• Check your child's toys. They should not have small pieces or batteries that can be removed.
• Supervise children while they are eating. Young children can choke on certain foods (such as meats, nuts, seeds, candy, fruit pits, and popcorn).
• Small toy parts, such as screws, eyes, noses, and other pieces that could be taken apart are choking hazards. Coins, marbles, safety pins, buttons, crayon pieces, erasers, paper wads, rocks, and beads are also risks.
• Children should not run or play with things in their mouths.
• Cut window blind cords and drapery cords or tie them high out of children's reach. Keep cribs away from these strings.
• Make sure spaces between guard rails, fences, railings, etc. are less than 3.5 inches apart.
• Remove strings from your child's clothing. Do not tie strings around your child's neck.
• Keep plastic bags (grocery sacks, dry-cleaning bags, etc.) out of reach of children. Children can suffocate if the bags are put over their heads.
• Keep balloons away from children or supervise while they play with balloons.
• Store your child's toys in a box without a lid or store them in a basket. If the box has a lid, the box should have holes in it. The lid should stay propped open and should be lightweight.
• Children should sit while they eat. Do not let them walk around, play, or laugh with food in their mouths. Remind them to take small bites and to chew well. Do not rush kids while they are eating.

How can I tell if my child is choking?

• If your child seems to have gotten something stuck in his throat, watch him closely.
• He is not choking if he is coughing, has a normal skin color, and can talk.
• If he cannot talk, if he looks panicked, and if his face is turning purple, he is choking. His eyes may bulge and he may gasp or wheeze.
• People often tell others that they are choking by crossing their wrists and holding their hands around their neck.
• A child who is choking needs immediate attention. Call 911 and if trained, give your child the Heimlich maneuver.

How is it treated?

• Parents should learn the Heimlich maneuver (first aid for choking).
• Parents should be trained in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

Quick Answers

• Airway obstruction is when something prevents air from reaching the lungs and the brain.
• Airway obstruction can be caused by choking, suffocation, or strangulation.
• Children under age 4 are at risk for airway obstruction. Children under age 1 are especially at risk.
• Talk to your doctor about taking steps to prevent airway obstruction. Learn about foreign bodies, toy safety, sudden infant death syndrome, and childproofing your home.
• If your child gets something caught in his throat, watch closely for signs of choking. A person who is choking may look scared and they cannot talk or cough.
• If your child is choking, call 911 and if trained, give the Heimlich maneuver. Parents should also be trained in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation).

References

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Airway Obstruction. 1996-2001 (cited 2002 May 29). URL: http://www.chop.edu/consumer/your_child/condition_section_index.jsp?id=-8112&printable=1
• MayoClinic. Choking. 2002 January 15 (cited 2002 May 29). URL: http://www.mayoclinic.com/findinformation/conditioncenters/invoke.cfm?objectid=58F86124-269C-49E1-834BBE72273246D6&printpage=true
• Tarrango, SB. Prevention of Choking, Strangulation, and Suffocation in Childhood. State Medical Society of Wisconsin. 2000 (cited 2002 May 29). URL: http://www.medem.com/search/article_display_for_printer.cfm?path=n:&mstr=/ZZZDYWB1JJC.html&soc=SMS%20of%20WI&srch_typ=NAV_SERCH

See related Patient Topics Breathing Problems, Choking, First Aid/Emergencies, Injuries and Wounds, Lungs and Breathing, Safety or Symptoms and Manifestations.

See related Provider Topics Breathing Problems, First Aid/Emergencies, Injuries and Wounds, Lungs and Breathing, Safety or Symptoms and Manifestations.

All contents copyright © 1992-2004 the Author(s) and The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.

http://www.vh.org/pediatric/patient/pediatrics/cqqa/airwayobstruction.html