Pediatric Airway Foreign Body Medication

  • Author: Michael R Bye, MD; Chief Editor: Michael R Bye, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jul 22, 2011
 

Medication Summary

No medications are needed. If significant swelling is observed in the airway or if granulation tissue is present, a corticosteroid (eg, prednisolone, prednisone) may be administered. Unless airway secretions are infected, antibiotics are not helpful or necessary.

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Corticosteroids

Class Summary

These agents elicit anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties and cause profound and varied metabolic effects. They modify the body's immune response to diverse stimuli. If swelling in the airway or granulation tissue is present, a corticosteroid may help.

Prednisolone (Pediapred, Orapred, Prelone) or prednisone (Deltasone)

 

May decrease inflammation by reversing increased capillary permeability and suppressing PMN activity. Both are available in tab and syr formulations. For children who require a liquid formulation, prednisolone syr is more palatable than prednisone syr.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Michael R Bye, MD  Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Attending Physician, Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center

Michael R Bye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Chest Physicians, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Thomas Scanlin, MD  Chief, Division of Pulmonary Medicine and Cystic Fibrosis Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Thomas Scanlin, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, American Thoracic Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Charles Callahan, DO  Professor, Deputy Chief of Clinical Services, Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Charles Callahan, DO is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Chest Physicians, American College of Osteopathic Pediatricians, American Thoracic Society, Association of Military Surgeons of the US, and Christian Medical & Dental Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary E Cataletto, MD  Director of Children's Sleep Services, Winthrop Sleep Disorders Center, Mineola, NY; Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY

Mary E Cataletto, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Chest Physicians

Disclosure: Shering Plough Pharmaceuticals Honoraria Consulting

Chief Editor

Michael R Bye, MD  Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; Attending Physician, Pediatric Pulmonary Medicine, Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian, Columbia University Medical Center

Michael R Bye, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Chest Physicians, and American Thoracic Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  14. Tang FL, Chen MZ, Du ZL, Zou CC, Zhao YZ. Fibrobronchoscopic treatment of foreign body aspiration in children: an experience of 5 years in Hangzhou City, China. J Pediatr Surg. Jan 2006;41(1):e1-5. [Medline].

 
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Aspirated foreign body (backing to an earring) lodged in the right main stem bronchus.
 
 
 
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