Fatal foreign body aspiration in a toddler due to peanut lodgement in the right main bronchus: A case report

Abstract

Foreign body aspiration is a leading cause of accidental morbidity and mortality in children under 3 years of age. Organic foreign bodies such as peanuts pose a particularly high risk due to their hygroscopic nature and tendency to cause airway inflammation. We report a fatal case of delayed airway obstruction in an 18-month-old female child following peanut aspiration, initially presenting with transient choking that appeared to resolve. The child subsequently developed acute respiratory distress several hours later and died despite hospital admission. Autopsy revealed a peanut lodged in the right main bronchus with hyperinflation of the right lung. This case highlights the deceptive clinical course of foreign body aspiration, the dangers of delayed presentation and the need for heightened clinical suspicion even when initial symptoms subside.