Passing out whilst coughing

My son has cerebal palsey and sometimes after eating he starts coughing and passess out.  What is worrying is that he tends not to breathe.
Is this serious.

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Yes, this is serious.  He may be aspirating food or liquid into his windpipe, secondary to an abnormality of his swallowing reflex or two, he may be having what is called cough syncope, a situation in which “passing out” is the direct result of hard, persistent coughing.  Either way, you must discuss this with doctor without delay, for regardless of what may be the cause, cessation of breathing is a life-threatening event.

Good luck