Foreign body aspiration in children: experience from Ethiopia.

Seventy-nine children with foreign body aspiration (FBA) were treated at the Ethio-Swedish Children's Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, over a seven year period, from September 1987 to August 1994. There were 55 boys and 24 girls with a mean age of 3.4 years. Only 15 (19%) children presented within 24 hours of aspiration. A definite or suggestive history of FBA was obtained in 68 (86%) children. Abnormal radiologic findings were present in 60 (76%) cases. Correct diagnosis was delayed or missed in 16 (20%) cases. Bronchoscopic extraction of foreign bodies was made in 62 out of 69 bronchoscoped cases. Three children coughed up the foreign bodies spontaneously. Nine (11%) children died, six before, two during and one after bronchoscopy. Late presentation, delay in diagnosis and intervention as well as missed diagnosis were major causes of prolonged morbidity and high mortality. Considering FBA early in the differential diagnosis of unexplained pulmonary problems, early bronchoscopy for such cases and prompt bronchoscopic extraction of aspirated foreign bodies are stressed to reduce and eventually avoid the high morbidity and mortality associated with FBA in children.