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Choking - infant under 1 year

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Choking first aid - infant under 1 year - series
Choking first aid - infant under 1 year - series

Definition    Return to top

Choking is when an infant can't breathe because food, a toy, or other object is blocking the airway (throat or windpipe).

Considerations    Return to top

A choking infant's airway may be completely or partially blocked. A complete blockage is a medical emergency. A partial obstruction can quickly become life threatening if the infant loses the ability to breathe in and out sufficiently.

Without oxygen, permanent brain damage can occur in as little as 4 minutes. Rapid first aid for choking can save a life.

Causes    Return to top

Choking in infants is usually caused by inhaling a small object that they have placed in their mouth, such as a button, coin, balloon, toy part, or watch battery.

Symptoms    Return to top

The danger signs of choking are:

First Aid    Return to top

DO NOT perform these steps if the infant is coughing forcefully or has a strong cry -- either of which can dislodge the object on its own.

  1. Lay the infant face down, along your forearm. Use your thigh or lap for support. Hold the infant's chest in your hand and jaw with your fingers. Point the infant's head downward, lower than the body.
  2. Give up to 5 quick, forceful blows between the infant's shoulder blades. Use the heel of your free hand.
IF THE OBJECT ISN'T FREE AFTER 5 BLOWS
  1. Turn the infant face up. Use your thigh or lap for support. Support the head.
  2. Place 2 fingers on the middle of his breastbone just below the nipples.
  3. Give up to 5 quick thrusts down, compressing the chest 1/3 to 1/2 the depth of the chest.
  4. Continue this series of 5 back blows and 5 chest thrusts until the object is dislodged or the infant loses consciousness.

IF THE INFANT LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS

If the child becomes unresponsive, stops breathing, or turns blue:

DO NOT    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

If an infant is choking:

Even if you successfully dislodge the object and the infant seems fine, call a doctor for further instructions.

Prevention    Return to top

References    Return to top

Manno M. Pediatric respiratory emergencies: Upper airway obstruction and infections. In Marx J, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006:chap 166.

Update Date: 7/23/2008

Updated by: Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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