Did you know that choking is one of the most common medical problems in childhood? It is estimated that they are responsible for 40% of accidental deaths in children under one year of age. And it is that at those ages any object can be dangerous, from a candy or a small piece of toy to rubber balloons or drawing paper. The problem is that babies and young children still have immature respiratory systems, which increases the risk of choking.
However, when parents think of choking, they usually only notice foreign objects and are not aware that there are foods that can also cause suffocation in their children. In fact, food is one of the main causes of choking in babies and young children. We reveal the most dangerous foods that you should keep an eye on.
10 common foods your child can choke on
1. Peanuts
Peanuts are one of the most dangerous nuts for children. Only in Spain it is estimated that they are responsible for between 60% and 80% of cases of choking in minors. A risk that increases when peanuts are eaten whole and with skin, since the grain can clog the windpipe or a piece can break off and plug the airways.
2. Sausages
A study published in the International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology revealed that sausages are the food that causes the highest number of choking deaths in children. This is due to its circular shape that acts as a kind of seal in the trachea of young children, especially when it is cut into slices, which can cause suffocation and, in the worst case, death.
3. Popcorn
The typical scene of a family at the movies eating popcorn carries many risks that parents sometimes overlook. Popcorn increases the risk of choking in children, due to its shape and spongy texture that allows it to easily adhere to the trachea of children and cause suffocation.
4. Grapes
The grapes are another cause of choking deadliest childhood, as demonstrated research published in the BMJ Journal . The problem is that grapes are usually larger than the trachea of young children, while at the same time they have a soft and flexible consistency that allows it to enter the airways and form a kind of plug.
5. Candy
Did you know that candies are responsible for about 15.5% of choking in children? Their firm texture as well as their small size increase the risk of hindering breathing and causing suffocation if they are diverted into the trachea. In some cases, fragments that end up in the children’s airways can also break off.
6. Candy
Candy, like candy, pose an added choking hazard for children. For example, marshmallows and gummies have a soft consistency but it does not melt easily and tends to return to its original shape, so if it clogs the windpipe it can have a plugging effect, preventing children from breathing.
7. Ham
Serrano ham, along with other sausages such as cured loin or jerky, can be dangerous for children, especially if they are babies. What happens is that these sausages have a leathery texture that is difficult to chew and that can easily adhere to the windpipe and pass into the airways, causing a choking.
8. Meat
Did you know that meat is responsible for 12.2% of the choking cases registered in Spain? This is because most children find it difficult to chew meat, especially when it comes to beef, pork, lamb or goat. What happens is that the meat has a fibrous texture that is difficult to tear and that, if it reaches the trachea, it can easily plug it and cause suffocation.
9. Apple
Apples are a staple in many children’s diets. However, many parents are not aware that apples, especially if eaten with their skin, increase the risk of child suffocation. The problem is that children find it difficult to chew an apple, which increases the chances that a piece will break off and end up blocking the airways.
10. Foods with bones
Olives, cherries or loquats can also cause choking in children. This is mainly due to their bones which can cause the little ones to suffocate. Therefore, it is recommended to give these foods without bones and cut into small pieces.
