The alarm signals that can lead to suspicion of inhalation of a foreign body include forced inhalation and "air hunger" in an attempt to escape the impediment of breathing, agitation and cyanosis in the face. These manifestations arise rapidly and must induce the rescuer to make a sudden intervention with maneuvers capable of saving the life of the suffocation victim.
.Choking from inhalation of a foreign body is a "clinical emergency and is one of the main causes of accidental death in infancy (especially in children under the age of 3), in the home or in schools. If the inhaled object is wedged into the larynx or trachea and is large enough to cause almost complete airway obstruction, asphyxiation can occur within minutes and lead to the death of the choking victim.
, candy, coins or pieces of toys); in fact, it must be considered that, in the course of early childhood, knowledge of the surrounding world initially passes through the mouth.
In pediatric age, the greater predisposition to suffocation is due to some typical characteristics of the psychophysical development and physiology of the respiratory tree, namely:
- Small diameter airways;
- Poor coordination between chewing and swallowing solid foods
- Incomplete teething
- High respiratory rate;
- Tendency to do multiple activities at the same time (for example, children eat while running, playing, talking, or watching TV).
The danger of suffocation remains high up to the age of 14.
