19 month old choking during sleep

[azooz]

My 19 month old son chokes 3-6 a night!
I have to wake up and flip him on his belly and give him a couple of taps so that the saliva and mucus
can clear out his throat and for him to breath again.He seems to go right back to sleep after that.
He has been choking since he was born but it used to be very rare but the past month it has gotten
a lot worse.Does anyone have an idea of what it might be ?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

These symptoms can be related to gastro esophageal reflux.Elevate the head end of the bed of the child.Also give meals to the child atleast 1-1 and a half hrs before bedtime.
Have you got enlarged adenoids and obstructive sleep apnea ruled out?I feel that they have to be ruled out as they are important causes of choking while sleeping.

Other conditions that can cause feeling of choking are laryngo-tracheitis,epiglottitis,tracheo-esophageal fistula and Huntigston’s disease.Pls get your son evaluated by a physician or ENT specialist for these.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep us posted on how your son is doing.

[mommy813]

My 4 year old is dealing with something like this.

She has a bad cough and even pneumonia and then went into the gasping choking cough each time she falls asleep.

We have now had 3 weeks of tests and sleep studies and still nothing.  They think it partially has to do with Acid Reflux and something with her larynx closing.

[KatEyes]

What is his pediatrician saying? Anything from reflux to sleep apnea to sinus drainage could cause him to awaken with apparent choking. An exam by a doctor with a specialty in ENT then gastroenterology could be a place to start if your current doctor has not had him thoroughly checked out.