Baby Hospitalized for Five Days After Choking on Ketchup Packet Plastic

A nine-month-old baby from Binyamina was hospitalized for five days at Hillel Yaffe Medical Center in Hadera after suffering from a persistent cough and hoarseness. The symptoms began five days prior to his hospital admission, following an incident where the infant choked while on the floor at home. Despite his parents' attempts to dislodge the obstruction, the baby continued to exhibit unusual coughing and hoarseness.

Upon arrival at the emergency room, doctors suspected a foreign object in the baby's airway. Although an initial X-ray showed no findings, the medical team proceeded with further examination due to the persistent, non-infectious symptoms. Dr. Tali Teitelbaum, an ENT physician at the hospital, noted the unusual nature of the cough and the history of choking.

Using an endoscope inserted through the nose, the medical team discovered a one-centimeter red plastic piece lodged vertically between the baby's vocal cords. This piece originated from a ketchup sauce packet. The plastic fragment was successfully removed in an emergency surgery performed by Professor Yitzhak Breverman, head of the ENT department.

Following the surgery, the baby's airway was scanned to ensure no other foreign objects were present. He remained hospitalized for observation and was released home after showing signs of recovery. Hospital officials are reminding parents to keep small objects and packaging away from young children, especially during holiday periods when children spend more time at home. They emphasized the importance of seeking medical attention if a child experiences persistent unusual coughing, new hoarseness, or breathing changes after a choking incident.