For a child under 1 year with airway obstruction due to a foreign body, which maneuver is recommended first?

For a child under 1 year with airway obstruction due to a foreign body, which maneuver is recommended first?

• A. Heimlich Maneuver
• B. Abdominal thrusts
• C. Back blows
• D. Chest compressions

Answer: (C)

Back blows are performed first because in an infant the airway is very small and delicate, and delivering firm blows to the back helps generate an outward thrust that can dislodge the obstructing object without risking injury to the abdomen or chest. Hold the infant face-down along your forearm with the head lower than the chest, and deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades. If the object doesn’t dislodge, turn the infant over and perform five chest thrusts with two fingers on the lower half of the sternum, then repeat the sequence as needed. Abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich) are not recommended for infants under one year due to injury risk, and chest compressions are reserved for an unresponsive infant or one in cardiac arrest.

Back blows are performed first because in an infant the airway is very small and delicate, and delivering firm blows to the back helps generate an outward thrust that can dislodge the obstructing object without risking injury to the abdomen or chest. Hold the infant face-down along your forearm with the head lower than the chest, and deliver five firm back blows between the shoulder blades. If the object doesn’t dislodge, turn the infant over and perform five chest thrusts with two fingers on the lower half of the sternum, then repeat the sequence as needed. Abdominal thrusts (the Heimlich) are not recommended for infants under one year due to injury risk, and chest compressions are reserved for an unresponsive infant or one in cardiac arrest.