Child Inhaled plastic cap, what should I do?

Dear Ask The Doctor: HI..My son is 1 year old and he has inhaled one small soft plastic CAP..and he does not have any problem in breathing..What should I do now..?"

Dear RAJESH: Foreign body obstruction in children should always be evaluated by a specialist because it can block respiration by obstructing the airway and may lead to a life-threatening event. Though your son does not have any presenting symptoms at the moment, I would advise that you take him to an ENT specialist as soon as possible. If the soft plastic cap remains lodged in the airway for longer period of time, it may cause infection and even pneumonia. An x-ray may be done and the object located (if it is radio opaque). However a bronchoscopy may also be done if the foreign body is not evident on an x-ray.