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Airway Obstruction

What are the symptoms of an object stuck in a child's airway?

An object can become stuck in the airway at any age but is most common in children younger than age 3. Although a child may not have any symptoms when something is stuck in his or her airway, any of the following symptoms may occur:

  • Rapid, noisy, or high-pitched breathing
  • Increased drooling
  • Difficult, painful swallowing, or the complete inability to swallow
  • Gagging
  • Refusal to eat solids
  • Pain in the neck, chest, or abdomen
  • Vomiting