Choking in children: causes, prevention and intervention strategies

Choking episodes in children are a significant public health problem that can lead to serious consequences if not addressed quickly and effectively. Early diagnosis, appropriate treatment and prevention are key to ensuring the safety of children. This review article aims to comprehensively examine the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and intervention methods of choking in the pediatric population. The review methods included the analysis of scientific publications located in databases such as PubMed and scientific journals, including meta-analyses, randomized trials and systematic reviews regarding the scope of the problem of choking in children, excluding case reports. Choking is most often caused by the aspiration of foreign objects such as small toys, food (e.g. grapes, nuts, pieces of meat) and other small objects that children often put into their mouths out of curiosity. Children aged 1 to 4 are particularly vulnerable as they have a natural tendency to explore their surroundings using their mouths. Symptoms of choking may include sudden difficulty breathing, intense coughing, wheezing, cyanosis and loss of consciousness. Quick recognition of symptoms is crucial to prevent serious consequences, such as cerebral hypoxia or cardiac arrest. In diagnostics, it is also important to take a thorough history and use imaging tests, such as X-ray or bronchoscopy, to locate and remove the foreign body. This article seeks to better understand the factors contributing to choking in children and provide the latest evidence-based recommendations for prevention and intervention.