Pediatric Basic Life Support(BLS) Foreign Body Airway Obstruction(FBAO)

Foreign Body Airway Obstruction(FBAO)

• Foreign Body Airway Obstruction(FBAO) also known as choking is blocking the airway which comprises of the pharynx and trachea. Children less than 3 years are at risk of choking due to the still-developing phase for swallowing and chewing. Parents, teachers should keep an eye for objects like coins, toys, balloons, and other food.
• A study by C S Harris et al concluded that one death due to choking occurred every 5 days the data was analyzed for infants and children from 0-9 years for a period of 3 years.
• The choking was associated with high risk in children less than 5 years of age due to meat products.
• Hot dog was the most common food identified along with hard candy, nuts.
• Airway obstruction - Steps to follow
  • If the airway obstruction is mild, where the child is able to respond wait for the child to clear it and monitor for signs of severe obstruction.
  • If the airway obstruction is severe, where the child will be silent quickly start the Heimlich maneuver or subdiaphragmatic abdominal thrust for children.
  • For infants do 5 back blows followed by 5 compressions as abdominal thrust can damage the liver.
  • If the child/infant becomes unresponsive start CPR immediately.
    • After 1 cycle which will be 30 compressions check the airway if the foreign body is visible remove it but if it's not visible or accessible do not probe blindly as the foreign body can be displaced which will further damage the oropharynx.
    • Give 2 rescue breaths after compressions and continue with compressions and ventilation cycle until the foreign body is out.