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Acute Airway Obstruction

Acute Airway Obstruction

Acute airway obstruction occurs when there is a blockage in the airway, which can partially or totally prevent air from reaching the lungs.

This can happen if your child:

  • Inhales or swallows a foreign body
  • Has an allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
  • Experiences trauma to the airway
  • Has a viral or bacterial infection that causes the airway to swell

Other causes of acute airway obstruction include:

  • Asthma
  • Laryngitis
  • Epiglottis (swelling of the base of the tongue)
  • Chemical burns
  • Tonsils and adenoids that can block the airway, especially while a child is sleeping

Symptoms of acute airway obstruction include:

  • Agitation or panic
  • Cyanosis (bluish-colored skin)
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Wheezing
  • Gasping for air
  • Unconsciousness

Diagnosis of Acute Airway Obstruction

Doctors at Riley at IU Health can usually diagnose an airway obstruction by evaluating the symptoms. Sometimes, your child's doctor will order one or more of the following tests:

  • Bronchoscopy. The doctor may use a device called a bronchoscope to look in your child’s lungs.
  • Laryngoscopy. The doctor may use a small scope to examine your child’s larynx, throat and vocal cords in order to check for swelling or other abnormalities.
  • X-ray. The doctor may need to order an X-ray of the lungs to see what is causing the blockage.

Treatments

An acute airway obstruction should be treated quickly so your child’s breathing is not inhibited for a long period of time.

Treatment of an acute airway obstruction depends on its cause. Possible treatments include:

  • Abdominal thrust. This emergency technique, also called the Heimlich maneuver, may help a person who is choking. This maneuver uses abdominal thrusts in an attempt to dislodge the foreign object.
  • Endotracheal or nasotracheal tube. The doctor inserts a breathing tube into the airway to help get oxygen through swollen airways.
  • Tracheostomy or cricothyrotomy. The doctor makes a small incision on the front of the throat, through the tough cartilage rings and into the trachea in order to bypass an obstruction. This could be done if there is a large object blocking the airway, your child has been unable to breathe on his or her own for a period of time and efforts to remove the foreign body have been unsuccessful.
  • Epinephrine. Administered via a simple injection, this medicine can be used to treat airway swelling due to an allergic reaction.
  • Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Involving a combination of chest compressions and mouth-to-mouth rescue breathing, CPR can be used to help someone who is not breathing. Even someone who is not certified in CPR can administer chest compressions (at a rate of 100 per minute) to a child who is not breathing until paramedics arrive.

Key Points to Remember

  • Acute airway obstruction occurs when there is a blockage in the airway, which can partially or totally prevent air from reaching the lungs.
  • Swallowing or inhaling a foreign object, an allergic reaction, asthma and even certain types of infections can cause the airway to become obstructed.
  • Doctors can usually diagnose an airway obstruction by evaluating your child's symptoms.
  • An acute airway obstruction should be treated quickly so your child’s breathing is not inhibited for a long period of time.
  • Treatment of an acute airway obstruction depends on its cause.

Support Services & Resources

Visit the trusted websites below for more information and support for acute airway obstruction:

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

MedlinePlus

Read more about blockage of the upper airway on this U.S. National Library of Medicine website.

MedlinePlus

Learn more about what to do (and what not to do) if you believe your child inhaled or swallowed a foreign object.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

Read in-depth information about anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction that can lead to acute airway obstruction.

Locations

Locations

In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.

Riley Outpatient Center at IU Health

Pediatric Ear, Nose & Throat
575 Riley Hospital Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46202

317.944.8620

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Departments Treating This Condition