Recently, there has been much controversy in the pediatric literature concerning the appropriate emergency treatment of the choking child. The current recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics suggest a series of back blows followed by several chest thrusts. The research literature supporting these recommendations is reviewed. In addition, the data of investigators who disagree with this approach are presented. It is concluded that; although there are inadequacies in all of the existing research, there are no contraindications to the AAP recommendations. It is suggested that our focus, as pediatricians, should be on educating the lay public in the performance of a series of routine maneuvers that may be life-saving.
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