Objective: To study the clinical presentation, management and outcome of foreign body aspiration in children. Patients and Methods: This case series study was conducted at the Department of Medicine Unit-1 of The Children’s hospital and The Institute of Child Health, Lahore from Jan 2011 to Dec 2011. During the study period 50 patients were admitted with suspicion of foreign body aspiration. RESULTS: A review of 50 children of foreign body aspiration revealed that most common age group was between 12-24 months. Majority were male (66%) and male to female ratio was 1.9:1 and 56% children had history of foreign body witness. Common symptoms were cough(84%), respiratory difficulty(76%), choking(38%), fever(30%) and stridor(8%). Most common examination finding was decreased air entry (68%). In 58% cases foreign body was removed from right main bronchus and betel nut was the most common foreign body recovered in 42% of cases. There was no mortality. Conclusion: Foreign body inhalation is more common in males and mostly seen between12-24 month of age. The commonest complaints are cough and respiratory difficulty. But tracheobronchial foreign body should be strongly suspected in children with sudden onset of respiratory distress even when history and chest X-rays are inconclusive. Early bronchoscopy in suspected patients results in excellent outcome
