Media Release
Mangaluru, Jan 7: KMC Hospital Mangaluru successfully managed a life-threatening paediatric airway emergency involving a 10-month-old infant who was brought to the hospital with severe respiratory distress more than 16 hours after a suspected foreign body aspiration. The incident occurred at the child’s home earlier in the day, where adults were consuming peanuts, and the child later developed breathing difficulty. The infant was initially evaluated in Puttur and subsequently referred to KMC Hospital, Mangaluru, where an emergency multidisciplinary team intervention was carried out during the early hours of the night.
According to the history provided, the child had suddenly started coughing while playing with other children and was reported to have been eating peanuts. After a brief episode of coughing, the child appeared to settle, leading family members to believe the object had passed. However, as the day progressed, the child became increasingly dull and breathless, the parents assumed it to be due to the child being unwell and having a common cold. A paediatric evaluation by Dr Srikanth Rao in Puttur raised a high index of suspicion for foreign body aspiration, supported by X-ray findings, prompting an urgent referral.
Upon arrival at KMC Hospital, the child was assessed by Dr Swathi Rao, consultant - paediatric intensivist, who immediately recognized the seriousness of the condition. Despite initial hesitation from the family, the child’s respiratory status worsened, with oxygen saturation falling to 88 percent and visible distress. An urgent CT scan of the thorax confirmed a foreign body obstructing the right bronchus, resulting in hyperinflation of the right lung and compression of the left lung and heart.
An expert opinion was promptly obtained from Dr Gautham Kulamarva, consultant ENT surgeon. Despite it being Christmas Eve night, seamless coordination was achieved between the ENT team, operating room staff, the anaesthetist team led by Dr Sunil and Dr Frieda, and the administration teams of KMC Hospital at both Ambedkar Circle and Attavar, enabling all logistics to be arranged swiftly. The child was immediately taken to the operating room at midnight, where Dr Kulamarva performed an emergency bronchoscopic removal, safely retrieving the foreign body obstructing the right bronchus without complications. As nearly 18 hours had elapsed since the incident and early signs of waterlogging had developed in the lungs beyond the obstruction, the child was electively ventilated for a few hours and successfully extubated after six hours.
Dr Swathi Rao, consultant - paediatric intensivist noted, “Not all choking episodes are dramatic. Sometimes, when a small object or food enters a child’s airway, there may be no coughing, no noise, and no immediate distress. Some silent signs of aspiration are: Sudden or persistent cough, noisy breathing or wheeze on one side, repeated chest infections or pneumonia, Unexplained breathing difficulty, Voice change or hoarseness.”
Dr Gautham Kulamarva – Consultant ENT specialist said, “Bronchoscopic removal of foreign body in young children is a very high risk procedure and requires timely intervention and expertise, as delays can worsen airway obstruction and significantly increase the risk of life-threatening complications.”
Doctors emphasized that any suspicion of foreign body aspiration in children is a medical emergency requiring immediate hospital care, as even brief delays can be life threatening. Several otherwise healthy children have lost their lives due to this unfortunate condition of foreign body in the airway. The commonest among them is a peanut getting stuck in the airway. Parents should avoid giving small food materials such as peanuts until children can chew well (around 3–4 years) and swallow. Also, keep toys with removable parts, including button batteries, away from young children. Prompt expert care saves lives, while delays increase the risk of serious, life threatening complications.
About Manipal Hospitals
As a pioneer in healthcare, Manipal Hospitals is among the top healthcare providers in India serving over 8 million patients annually, with a focus on providing affordable, high-quality healthcare services. Manipal’s integrated network today has a pan-India footprint of 49 hospitals across 24 cities with 12,600 licensed beds, and a talented pool of 11,000+ doctors and an employee strength of over 34000.
Manipal Hospitals provides comprehensive curative and preventive care for a multitude of patients from around the globe. Manipal Hospitals is AAHRPP accredited and most of the hospitals in its network are NABH, NABL, ER, Blood Bank accredited and recognized for nursing excellence.