Cocoa Powder Aspiration

Foreign body aspiration in children carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality; 5% of unintentional deaths among children younger than 4 years of age are due to mechanical suffocation. The aspirated material consists of either organic substances such as peanuts, popcorn, hot dogs, or vegetables, or nonfood materials such as balloons, coins, pen tops, and pins. Lopatka et al report a case of aspiration of cocoa powder by a 4-year-old that resulted in reactive airway disease leading to acute respiratory failure.