What is it?

Aspiration is when food or liquid enters the airway or lungs instead of going to the stomach.

Who aspirates?

Everyone aspirates from time to time, but most people are able to cough to get the food or liquid out of the airway. If a child aspirates a small amount, it may not cause much harm. This can happen in children who don’t have any health problems.

Many children with health problems (for example, prematurity, heart disease, or congenital syndromes) and children with disabilities may be more at risk for frequent aspiration.

If aspiration occurs frequently or in large amounts, or if the child is not able to cough sufficiently, it can be very serious and lead to respiratory problems like pneumonia, dehydration, malnutrition, weight loss, and increased risk of illness.

How do I know a child may be aspirating?

Signs of aspiration may happen during feeding or right after eating. Some children may not have all of the signs listed below. The signs may depend on the age of the child and how often and how much the child aspirates. Some children who aspirate do not have any signs. This is called silent aspiration.

Some signs of aspiration include:

• Coughing or choking
• Wet-sounding voice
• Change in color of face (e.g., redness or blue)
• Watering eyes
• Runny nose
• Difficulty breathing (e.g. fast breathing, wheezing)
• Noisy breathing
• Frequent respiratory illness

What should I do if a child aspirates often?

• Ensure the child is seated in an upright position.
• Ensure the child is eating foods of the appropriate texture for his or her ability.
• If you are not sure why a child aspirates frequently, consult a doctor.