Missed Foreign Body Diagnosis in a 3 Month Old Infant with Pneumonia: Case Presentation

Aim: We present this case report to re-emphasize the importance of having a high index of suspicion for the presence of foreign body aspiration/impaction in children. And that foreign body aspiration/impaction may even occur in pre-ambulant children.

Presentation of Case: We write to report the case of foreign body impacted in the throat of a 3 months old child who was initially diagnosed as rhinitis with pneumonia. The foreign body was accidentally discovered and was subsequently extracted without any complications.

Discussion: Accidental foreign body ingestion, aspiration and impaction are common in the paediatric population because of various predisposing factors. It may also go unnoticed and may result in late presentation and mis-diagnosis as is the case in this infant that we are reporting.

Conclusion: This case report calls attention to the need to carefully and gently explore the mouths of children during examination, especially those with respiratory distress. Caregivers must also be vigilant in caring for their wards.