ReviewTropical medicine and health2026
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of pediatric foreign body aspiration in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Review in Tropical medicine and health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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Abstract
introductionForeign body aspiration (FBA) is a significant cause of accidental death in children under three years worldwide and is perhaps the most time-sensitive emergency in pediatric medicine. While high-income countries have established surveillance systems, the burden and characteristics of pediatric FBA in sub-Saharan Africa remain poorly characterized. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to synthesize available evidence on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of pediatric FBA across the region.
methodsWe conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar from inception to January 2026, with no language restrictions. Studies reporting original data on children (0-18 years) with confirmed tracheobronchial foreign body aspiration in sub-Saharan African countries were included. Case reports (n < 5), editorials, and studies that did not report both age and sex distribution were excluded. We performed random-effects meta-analysis using the restricted maximum likelihood method to pool proportions for outcomes reported by at least five studies, with heterogeneity assessed using the I
resultsFourteen studies comprising 748 children from eight countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Togo) met inclusion criteria. Male predominance was consistent across all studies (pooled proportion 61%, 95% CI 58-64%, I
conclusionPediatric FBA in sub-Saharan Africa shows marked geographic variation, with a distinct three-zone pattern: an East African pattern (seeds), a southern African pattern (inorganic material) and a West Africa pattern (mixed: seeds and inorganic material). These findings suggest region-specific prevention strategies rather than uniform approaches.
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