Baby Hospitalized for Five Days After Choking on Ketchup Packet Corner

A nine-month-old infant from Binyamina was hospitalized for five days at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera after a plastic corner from a ketchup packet became lodged in his vocal cords. The incident began five days prior when the baby choked while on the floor at home. Although his parents attempted to dislodge the obstruction with back pats, they did not identify a foreign object. While his breathing initially improved, he continued to suffer from unusual coughing and significant hoarseness.

Upon arrival at the emergency room, doctors suspected a foreign body in the respiratory tract, but an initial X-ray showed no findings. Dr. Tali Teitelbaum, an ENT physician at the hospital, noted that the baby's cough was distinctly abnormal. Combined with the sudden choking incident, new hoarseness, and persistent cough without signs of infection, the medical team suspected a foreign object and proceeded with further examination.

Using an endoscope inserted through the nose, the medical team identified a one-centimeter red plastic piece lodged vertically between the baby's vocal cords. This piece, from a ketchup packet, allowed for partial airflow but posed a significant risk of completely blocking the airway if it shifted. Professor Yitzchak Braverman, head of the ENT department, performed an urgent surgery to successfully remove the foreign object.

Following the surgery, the baby's airways were scanned to ensure no other obstructions were present. He remained hospitalized for observation and was released home after doctors confirmed he was in good condition. The hospital urged parents to keep small objects and packaging away from young children, especially during holiday periods when children spend more time at home. They also advised seeking medical attention if a child experiences persistent unusual coughing, new hoarseness, or breathing changes after a sudden choking episode.