Foreign Body Aspiration in Children With Allergic Diseases: Coincidence or Association

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the reality of allergic disease risk in cases of foreign body aspiration and to assess the relationship between these two conditions. Materials and Methods: The study included 63 patients who underwent bronchoscopy by the Pediatric Surgery Department with suspected foreign body aspiration. Demographic information of the patients was collected from hospital records, while data on allergic diseases were gathered through questionnaires. Results: Out of 63 patients who underwent bronchoscopy due to suspected foreign body aspiration, a foreign body was detected in 48 (76.2%) cases, while 15 (23.8%) cases had no detection. Among those with detected foreign bodies, 93.3% were aged 3 years or younger, with a male-to-female ratio of 2.8:1. The most common foreign bodies found were hazelnuts (37.5%) and peanuts (20.8%). Among the patients presenting with suspected foreign body aspiration, 65.1% had wheezing and whistling sounds in their chest, 30.2% had previously been diagnosed with allergic bronchitis and asthma by doctors, 20.6% showed symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and 6.3% had allergic conjunctivitis. Additionally, a significant relationship was observed between smoking at home and foreign body aspiration (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest a potential relationship between foreign body aspiration and allergic diseases. It is thought that allergic diseases may increase the susceptibility of the airways and mucosal edema, making it easier for foreign bodies to enter the respiratory tract. This situation could increase the risk of foreign body aspiration in an allergic individual.