In infants and children, what can cause airway obstruction and choking?

In infants and children, airway obstruction and choking can commonly occur due to small, round, or irregularly shaped objects that can become lodged in the throat. Toys, coins, and nuts fall into this category, as they are often small enough to fit into a child's mouth and pose a significant risk if ingested.

Toys may have small parts that can break off and become a choking hazard. Coins are particularly dangerous because they are flat and can easily block the airway, while nuts can easily be difficult for a child to chew fully, especially some varieties that are more solid or hard. The shape and size of these items make them prime culprits for choking incidents among young children, who tend to explore their environment orally.

Food, fingers, and plastic wrappers can also contribute to choking risks, but the specific concern with toys, coins, and nuts is their ease of becoming airway obstructions due to their size and shape, making this answer especially relevant in terms of common sources of choking in children.