Postobstructive pulmonary edema in children.

Children with either acute or chronic upper airway obstruction are at risk for postobstructive pulmonary edema. Appropriate diagnosis and management are important in leading to a good outcome for the patient. We describe 2 cases of postobstructive pulmonary edema caused by brief acute upper airway obstruction. In the first case, a child choked on a hot dog and in the second on a "jawbreaker." Both children developed symptoms of complete upper airway obstruction and were managed initially with the Heimlich maneuver and subsequently developed increased work of breathing associated with an oxygen requirement after relief of the obstruction. Both children were managed in the pediatric intensive care unit and were discharged after resolution of symptoms without sequelae.