After a few hours of absorbing moisture from the bronchi, these can suddenly swell and cause complete obstruction.
The first image below shows 4 moisture-swollen soybeans that had been removed from a child’s trachea and bronchi. The two dry soybeans on the right are much smaller.[Ref:47]
The presence of older siblings in the household increases the risk for choking, possibly because toys and other objects with small parts are more likely to be present and caregiving activities, such as feeding, to be undertaken by older siblings.[Ref:44]
