Paediatrician’s warning after big grapes get stuck in children’s throats
Toddlers and preschool children are needing emergency treatment after getting large grapes stuck in their airways, a Bundoora paediatrician warns as he urges parents to “err on the side of caution”.
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This season’s grapes are so big they have become a choking hazard for toddlers and preschool children, according to a Bundoora paediatrician.
Dr Luke Sammartino said parents should “err on the side of caution” and consider cutting grapes lengthways after speaking to the parents of several children who had to be treated when the fruit lodged in their airways.
“We are seeing grapes this season that are particularly big,” he said.
“This can present a choking hazard and there have been cases where children have swallowed a whole grape and it has become stuck in their throats.
“As a paediatrician who consults with hundreds of families every year, I have seen and heard it all and an incident like this is obviously incredibly distressing for parents and constitutes an emergency situation requiring immediate attention.”
Eltham mother Isabel Nalato said she would always cut whole pieces of fruit before serving them to her two children.
“Choking hazards in fruit are something all parents should be aware of,” she said.
“Grapes in any season are a risk so I have typically cut them before giving them to my kids.”
Australian Table Grape Association chief executive Jeff Scott said climate impacted the size of grapes.
“Grapes vary in size every season,” he said.
“They’re of exceptional quality coming out of a dry winter with very cold nights, sunny days and minimal rainfall.
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“And with the current drought conditions, it tells us that this is the winter we’ve had which is why you’ll see some very mature grapes around.”
Dr Sammartino warned parents a variety of other summer fruits, including raw apple and any fruit with seeds could also present a “very real” choking hazard for toddlers and preschool children.