Foreign Body Aspiration Treatment in India

Ayaan Nair, a curious and energetic...

Ayaan Nair, a curious and energetic 18-month-old, was playing with his older brother's building blocks while his mother, Priya, prepared lunch. Hearing a sudden, sharp cough followed by wheezing, she rushed in to find Ayaan distressed and struggling to take a full breath. Over the next hour, his breathing became more labored, with a persistent, harsh cough. Rushing to the Emergency Department, Priya explained he'd been playing with small toys. The triage nurse noted stridor, a high-pitched sound on inhalation, and he was seen immediately by the ENT specialist, Dr. Mehta. A quick neck X-ray confirmed a small, radiopaque block lodged in his trachea. Dr. Mehta explained that Ayaan needed a rigid bronchoscopy under general anesthesia to safely remove the blockage and prevent pneumonia or worse. In the OR, the team worked swiftly. Using the bronchoscope, Dr. Mehta visualized and carefully extracted a small, star-shaped block from just below his vocal cords. The relief was instant; Ayaan's oxygen levels normalized. He spent one night in the hospital for observation, needing some nebulizers to calm airway inflammation. Within 48 hours, he was back to his playful self, though all small toys were now kept in a locked box. Priya's journey was one of sheer terror and guilt, watching her baby struggle to breathe. The immediate relief post-procedure was profound, replaced by a vigilant caution and immense gratitude for the swift, skilled care that saved her son.