Question
My child choked while eating because they were crying accidentally. They coughed a few times and then started coughing again after a while. They cough a lot at night while sleeping. I’ve never heard him cough before. I’m worried if he might have choked on something in the trachea or if it’s dangerous. What should we do?
Answer
A three-year-old who coughs while eating may have choked on food, as children are prone to inhaling food into the trachea when crying, which can lead to choking. This can sometimes result in conditions like aspiration pneumonia or breathing difficulties. If the child continues to cough or has a fever, there may be a concern that an object has been inhaled into the trachea. It is advisable to consult a hospital with the necessary facilities for a bronchoscopy to check the airways.