3YO chokes on balloon bits while playing, dies; expert talks about choking

New Delhi: In a tragic incident in Prayagraj, a 3-year-old girl passed away after a balloon burst while she was playing with it. The girl from Lal Gopalganj of Ganganagar district passed away after pieces of the balloon got stuck in her windpipe. Saira was then rushed to a hospital where doctors declared her dead when brought in for examination. It was found that the balloon was stuck in her windpipe which resulted in difficulty in breathing and eventually choking which is a common cause of death because of the same.

Doctors say that choking is a common occurrence in children, especially in the case of toys, coins, and food items like grapes and berries. Dry foods like popcorn and candy can also result in such incidents. Marbles, pen caps, and small batteries are also some common triggers for choking incidents.

Talking about choking cases in children, Dr. Shrey Kumar Srivastav, Senior Consultant, Sharda Hospital, said, “Balloons pose a significant choking hazard for children, as they are often brought close to the mouth during play, particularly when inflating or attempting to burst them. In such cases, the forceful expulsion of air or fragments from the balloon can be inhaled, leading to an obstruction in the airway.”

In this instance, it is likely that the child accidentally inhaled part of the balloon, causing it to block her trachea and severely restrict her ability to breathe. Balloons are especially dangerous because their flexible material can conform to the shape of the airway, creating a complete blockage. This makes it difficult for air to pass through, and without immediate medical attention, oxygen deprivation can occur, leading to fatal outcomes. Awareness and prompt action are essential in preventing such incidents, as swift medical intervention can be the difference between life and death in choking emergencies.