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What Causes Choking Sensation While Sleeping In Children?

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Posted on Mon, 29 Jun 2015
Question: Hi my 11 year old son wakes up some times choking in his sleep what can i do to help him this does not happen all the time that i know of i have been staying up to see what and when this happens ,don't know what to do can you help THX.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need some information - kindly answer the questions

Detailed Answer:
Hi....by what you quote I put forth these possibilities -

1. Sleep Disordered Breathing.
2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome.
3. Upper airway resistance syndrome.
4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

I have a few questions for you. Please get back to me with answers and I will be glad to help you.

Questions -

1. What was his birth weight?
2. What are his current weight and height?
3. How many nights per week does he have this problem?
4. Is there a family history of obesity?
5. Is there a family history of gastric or reflux problems?
6. Did you observe any relation to spicy food and this problem?
7. Does he have ample exercise expected at his age?

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)
weight: 10lb
current weight: 80lb
height: 59"
Tonight and about two weeks ago this happened twice that i know of.
No family history of obesity.
No family history of gastric or reflux problem that i know of.
No relation to spicy food.
He has plenty of exercise he is a young soccer
star.
He appears to be a very healthy young 11 year old boy.
He goes to sleep late some times like 11:00 clock
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
May be a GERD - needs evaluation

Detailed Answer:
Hi...I have gone through the history points you have provided. None of them are pointing out to anyway significant medical illness. So do not worry.

I have calculated and according to his height, weight and page he's not obese too. He's perfect by stature.

With this I can say that the first 3 possibilities which I have mentioned previously may now be reasonably ruled out.

But the only thing which still lingers on in my mind is the possibility of a Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD as it's commonly called.

If I were your son's treating physician or pediatrician, I would evaluate for that. For this I suggest getting an esophageal manometry, esophageal pH monitoring and an endoscopy done.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumanth Amperayani

Pediatrician, Pulmonology

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 8339 Questions

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What Causes Choking Sensation While Sleeping In Children?

Brief Answer: Need some information - kindly answer the questions Detailed Answer: Hi....by what you quote I put forth these possibilities - 1. Sleep Disordered Breathing. 2. Obstructive Sleep Apnea syndrome. 3. Upper airway resistance syndrome. 4. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. I have a few questions for you. Please get back to me with answers and I will be glad to help you. Questions - 1. What was his birth weight? 2. What are his current weight and height? 3. How many nights per week does he have this problem? 4. Is there a family history of obesity? 5. Is there a family history of gastric or reflux problems? 6. Did you observe any relation to spicy food and this problem? 7. Does he have ample exercise expected at his age? Regards - Dr. Sumanth