18-Month-Old's Life Saved After Peanut Causes Cardiac Arrest in Noida
An 18-month-old child from Meerut faced a life-threatening emergency after accidentally inhaling a peanut that became lodged in its airway. The incident, which initially seemed harmless to the family, escalated dramatically as the peanut absorbed moisture and swelled, leading to severe respiratory failure and subsequent cardiac arrest.
Critical Condition and Emergency Response
The family first sought treatment in Meerut when the child began choking on the peanut, but the situation worsened over two days. Approximately a week ago, the child's condition deteriorated significantly, prompting the parents to rush to Fortis Hospital in Noida around midnight. Upon arrival, the medical team found the child in severe respiratory distress with critically low oxygen levels, which soon triggered a cardiac arrest linked to the respiratory failure.
The paediatric intensive care unit immediately sprang into action, initiating advanced life support measures. This included emergency intubation and mechanical ventilation to stabilize the child before proceeding with a bronchoscopy—a high-risk procedure that lasted nearly five to six hours to address the airway blockage.
Medical Intervention and Recovery
Dr. Mayank Saxena, Additional Director of Pulmonology at the hospital, explained the severity of the case. "The peanut was stuck in the right main bronchus, causing a severe airway blockage that dropped the child's oxygen saturation to nearly 20%," he said. Using specialised tools such as cryo-biopsy forceps and a Dormia basket—equipment designed to remove spherical foreign bodies—doctors carefully extracted multiple fragments of the swollen peanut from the airway.
The child remained in critical condition for the next 24 hours but showed remarkable recovery, being discharged just two days later. Dr. Saxena emphasized the dangers of foreign body ingestion, particularly with organic materials like peanuts. "These items absorb water, increase in size, and can cause progressive and potentially fatal airway blockage. Prolonged hypoxia can lead to asystole, where the heart stops beating, requiring immediate CPR, and may result in hypoxic-ischemic brain injury if not addressed promptly," he warned.
Lessons for Parents and Preventive Measures
Dr. Saxena highlighted the importance of early evaluation with imaging, timely diagnosis, and immediate removal in such cases, especially for young children. "The boy's recovery brought relief to his family, but this case should serve as a reminder for parents to supervise children during meals and avoid giving small, hard foods," he advised. This incident underscores the critical need for vigilance and prompt medical attention in similar emergencies to prevent tragic outcomes.
