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Pediatric upper airway obstruction occurs when a foreign object or medical condition blocks the windpipe (trachea), voice box (larynx) or throat (pharynx). What is Pediatric Upper Airway Obstruction ?The upper airways include the nose, nasal passages, sinuses, throat and voice box. When these airways become obstructed (blocked), it can lead to complications. The anatomy of children’s upper airways makes them more vulnerable to upper airway obstruction. What are the signs and symptoms of Pediatric Upper Airway Obstruction ?Symptoms that your child's airway is blocked include:
What are the causes of Pediatric Upper Airway Obstruction ?Viral croup is one of the most common conditions that causes upper airway obstruction in children and can sound like a loud, “barking” cough. Swallowing a foreign object is another common cause of upper airway obstruction in children below 3-years old. An airway obstruction happens when you can't move air in or out of your lungs. It could be because you inhaled something that's blocking your airway. Or it could be caused by disease, allergic reaction, or trauma. Airway obstructions may block part of your airway or the whole thing. What Are the Different Types of Airway Obstructions?Airway obstructions can happen anywhere along your airway, including your: Upper respiratory tract. The upper airway consists of the following parts:
Lower respiratory tract. The lower airway includes:
What Can Cause an Upper Airway Obstruction?Foreign objects. Inhaling an object that blocks the airway is the fourth leading cause of unintentional death. This is more likely to happen in children, who have smaller airways, and people who have problems with their nerves and muscles. The objects most likely to cause choking deaths in children include:
In adults, the objects most likely to cause choking deaths include:
Anaphylaxis. Allergies can lead to a severe, life-threatening reaction. It's almost always unexpected and can lead to death. Anaphylaxis causes the airways to swell and stop you from breathing if not treated right away. The most common causes of anaphylaxis include:
Burns. When the air temperature gets hot enough, such as in a fire, it can injure your upper airway. These injuries cause swelling to your epiglottis, which is a flap of cartilage at the root of the tongue, and the mucous membranes around the larynx. This swelling can block your airway. Infections. The most common cause of infectious airway obstruction in children is croup, which is caused by a virus. Infections caused by bacteria can also lead to airway obstruction, though it's not as common. These include:
What Can Cause a Lower Airway Obstruction?Lower airway obstructions can be caused by a variety of different conditions. Some of the most common include: Asthma. Asthma is a lifelong disease that affects airflow. Symptoms include airway swelling, hyperreactivity, and making more mucus. They can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightness in your chest. Asthma can be triggered by many different factors, including: Bronchiolitis. Bronchiolitis most often affects young children and is usually caused by a virus. It makes your airways swell, blocking airflow. Symptoms of bronchiolitis can include: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). That’s an inflammatory lung disease that blocks the airflow into the lungs. COPD can cause inflammation of the lining of the tubes that carry air to the sacs in the lungs. This is called chronic bronchitis. Emphysema also contributes to COPD by destroying the air sacs at the end of the smallest air passages. Symptoms of COPD include: Symptoms of an airway obstruction can vary depending on how severe the blockage is, including: The treatment for an airway obstruction depends on the cause and severity. An inhaled object is a medical emergency and needs treatment right away. If an inhaled object causes choking, you should call 911 and perform first aid. The five-and-five method recommended by the American Red Cross consists of five black blows followed by five abdominal thrusts, which is the Heimlich maneuver. Alternate between the two until the object is coughed up. Other treatment options may include:
SOURCES: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology: "STUDY GIVES INSIGHT INTO WHAT TRIGGERS CAUSE ANAPHYLAXIS AND HOW DEADLY IT IS." |
Signs that your patient may have a completely blocked airway include which of the following?
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