Choking in Children

What to Do and How to Prevent

Dowd, M. Denise MD, MPH

M. Denise Dowd, MD, MPH, is the Associate Director, Office for Faculty Development, and the Medical Director, Community Programs, Department of Social Work, Children's Mercy Hospital; and a Professor of Pediatrics, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine.

Address correspondence to M. Denise Dowd, MD, MPH, via email: [email protected].

Disclosure: The author has no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Pediatric Annals 48(9):p e338-e340, September 01, 2019. | DOI: 10.3928/19382359-20190819-01

Choking happens when a child's airway is blocked by a foreign substance that impairs oxygenation and ventilation. It is one of the most frightening scenarios a parent can imagine. It happens suddenly and can have the direst of consequences. Small objects, such as food and candy, are the usual offenders. Child-related risk factors are largely developmental due to physical and cognitive immaturity. This article describes the magnitude of the problem, delineates some of the risks, and outlines prevention. [Pediatr Ann. 2019;48(9):e338–e340.]