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Suggest Treatment For Inhalation Of Grain Of Rice By A 2 Year Old

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Posted on Tue, 12 May 2015
Question: My 2 year old inhaled a grain of rice while eating and crying. How will I know if anything is wrong? Is it possible for the grain of rice to be in her lung? How much time will pass before she starts feeling pain or other relevant symptoms?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Highly recommended to consult with pulmonologist/or go to ER...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I am sorry for the accident your 2 year old has gone through. If you are sure that she inhaled a grain of rice while eating, I highly recommend to consult with a pulmonologist. A chest X-ray might be required to localize the grain.

Pulmonary endoscopy might be required to pull the grain off her airways. We can't leave the grain there as it will cause your infant to be prone of pneumonia easily.
Grain itself will cause pneumonia too.

So, highly recommended to consult with pulmonologist or run to ER as soon as possible although she is not having any symptom. Explain to ER team that your daughter has inhaled the grain of rice and they will do their job.

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)
Dr Albana Sejdini

I am not sure the grain of rice was inhaled into her lung. I heard the grain of rice get inhaled while she was crying, like a suction into her throat but I cannot be hundred percent sure it went into her air passage. This is why I am asking if there are symptoms to look out for. She has behaved normally since the incident. Singing and dancing before bed. No breathing difficulties.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Following symptoms to observe...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear XXXXX,

Sometimes, when foreign bodies with the size of a grain of rice will get undetected and usually children behave normally. Problems will come if there will be reorganization of tissue around the foreign body and signs of pneumonia will occur:
- coughing
- breathing difficulties
- sometimes, fever

They mimic cold/bronchitis clinical presentation.
Sometimes, these symptoms won't happen immediately after accidental aspiration but after a few days to weeks.

Once again, to make sure she has not aspirated any grain accidentally, you can discuss with her pediatrician to run chest X-ray or even bronchoscopy.

Hope it cleared up your doubts!
Dr.Albana
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (17 minutes later)
Thank you. I will take your advice and consult our gp in the morning. You have been patient and thorough. Have a good day/night further!
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Ok, let me know then...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

You are most welcome.

Let me know then how it goes.
I hope she has not aspirated anything and is fine.

All the best!
Dr.Albana
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 7307 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Inhalation Of Grain Of Rice By A 2 Year Old

Brief Answer: Highly recommended to consult with pulmonologist/or go to ER... Detailed Answer: Hi, I am sorry for the accident your 2 year old has gone through. If you are sure that she inhaled a grain of rice while eating, I highly recommend to consult with a pulmonologist. A chest X-ray might be required to localize the grain. Pulmonary endoscopy might be required to pull the grain off her airways. We can't leave the grain there as it will cause your infant to be prone of pneumonia easily. Grain itself will cause pneumonia too. So, highly recommended to consult with pulmonologist or run to ER as soon as possible although she is not having any symptom. Explain to ER team that your daughter has inhaled the grain of rice and they will do their job. Hope it was of help! Dr.Albana